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?"

Vance in an awkward spot. He flashed a forced smile. "Perhaps the Vanguard Agency does

Vivienne leaned back on the sofa, her

"Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper echelons. But I'm only interested in one thing." Vivienne did not respond, her gaze dropping

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

in Vivienne's eyes, and the casual indifference vanished,

Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with

her mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only real

to seek out friendships, so the term 'friend' applied

Vivienne had never

her mother's favorite protégé, Percival, was someone Vivienne had barely met in

now Vance, invoking her mother's name, wanted to

Wishful thinking, indeed.

glass and leaned forward. "I was not exactly close with Lark. Quite the opposite, we

of sincerity, piquing

was I. We'd often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark, Ashen Pigeon, and I were assigned

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 sided with her, and I backed down. Lark took a risk, got herself injured, but managed

remembered her mother telling

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

said, was to teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should never

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

were rescuing someone. I'd have the enemy hand them over willingly. Now that's the best strategy." Karen had laughed warmly at that, her eyes filled

recounting the past, Vance rubbed his cheek. "Back then, I was young and hot-headed. I didn't see the point in Lark's actions. I

was not until I went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother's actions were

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