The conversation had taken a turn, and it was clear that light-hearted banter was off the table.

"Vance, let's cut to the chase." Vivienne bit into a strawberry, savoring the burst of sweet, succulent flavor.

Vance sipped his wine, his gaze shifting between Vivienne and Percival.

"Vivienne, what do you know about Percival here?" He asked, nodding subtly towards Percival.

Vivienne tilted her head, eyeing Percival from head to toe. "Inside out," she declared.

Percival nearly choked on his Chardonnay.

What on earth was she talking about?

Were they not here for a formal discussion?

Vance was clearly taken aback, not expecting such a forthright answer from Vivienne.

Nor had Vivienne expected to say it, but seeing Percival's stern and ascetic demeanor, she just could not help herself.

Not everyone could understand the world of someone who cared about looks like she did.

Vance regained his composure and chuckled. "Well then, you must be familiar with his work. I was wondering if you might be interested in joining him professionally?" Percival coughed, glancing at Vance.

Was he suggesting Vivienne join the Vanguard Agency?

Vivienne speared another strawberry with her fork, the juice coating her taste buds in satisfaction.

"Director Vance, are you sure you can afford to hire me?"

He flashed a forced smile. "Perhaps the

leaned back

up, his eyes piercing into Vivienne. "Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

mother's name, a fierce glint flashed in Vivienne's eyes, and the casual indifference vanished, replaced by an

and you were not, I believe, acquainted," Vivienne said calmly, her

as she knew, when her mother was with the Vanguard Agency,

seek out friendships, so the term 'friend' applied

stories, Vivienne had never

mother's favorite protégé, Percival, was someone Vivienne had

now Vance, invoking her mother's name, wanted

Wishful thinking, indeed.

forward. "I was not exactly close with Lark. Quite the opposite,

carried a hint of sincerity, piquing

during a live exercise not long after

extracted unharmed. I was ready to use a tranquilizer gun, but Lark would not have it. She insisted the hostage not be harmed in any way. We argued, but ultimately, Ashen Pigeon

remembered her mother telling

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

purpose of sharing this story, Karen had said, was to teach Vivienne that

while protecting oneself was crucial, between one's safety and the hostage's, the hostage must come first-that was the creed of

confidently told her mother, "I'd make sure never to get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I'd have the enemy

point in Lark's actions. I thought that if you can't guarantee your

I finally understood. Your mother's actions were what every

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