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?"

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

even know who I am?" Vivienne leaned back on the sofa, her features alight with a

"Specter Healer, an identity of great interest

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

mother's name, a fierce glint flashed in Vivienne's eyes, and the

not, I believe, acquainted," Vivienne said calmly,

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

a loner, not one to seek out friendships, so the term 'friend'

Vivienne had never heard of anyone

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

her mother's name, wanted to

Wishful thinking, indeed.

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

hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne's interest

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

a tranquilizer gun, but Lark would not have it. She insisted the hostage not be harmed in any way. We argued, but

remembered her mother telling

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

story, Karen had said, was to teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should never compromise

asked if getting injured wasn't a compromise. Karen replied that while protecting oneself was crucial, between

hurt if I were rescuing someone. I'd have the enemy hand them over willingly. Now that's the

I was young and hot-headed. I didn't see the point in Lark's actions. I thought that if you can't guarantee your own life, how can you protect the people or the

finally understood. Your mother's actions were what every operative should aspire

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