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?"

question put Vance in an awkward spot. He flashed a forced

I am?" Vivienne leaned back on the sofa, her

straightened up, his eyes piercing into Vivienne. "Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper echelons. But I'm

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

glint flashed in Vivienne's eyes, and the casual indifference vanished, replaced

were not, I believe, acquainted," Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with an

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

mother was naturally a loner, not one to seek out friendships, so the term 'friend' applied to

Vivienne had never heard of anyone

Vivienne had barely met in her childhood, barely remembering his

mother's name, wanted to recruit

Wishful thinking, indeed.

glass and leaned forward. "I was not

hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne's interest to hear

I were rivals from the moment she joined the agency. She was stubborn, and so was I. We'd often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark, Ashen

the hostage not be harmed in any way. We argued, but ultimately, Ashen Pigeon sided with her, and I backed down. Lark took a risk, got herself injured, but managed to get the

remembered her mother telling her

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

this story, Karen had said, was to teach Vivienne that no matter

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

someone. I'd have the enemy

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

was not until I went undercover that I finally understood.

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255