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?"

awkward spot. He flashed a forced smile. "Perhaps the Vanguard Agency does have

Vivienne leaned back on

identity of great interest to

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

a fierce glint flashed in Vivienne's eyes, and the casual indifference

acquainted," Vivienne said calmly,

her mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only

naturally a loner, not one to seek out friendships,

had never heard of anyone besides

Percival, was someone Vivienne had barely met in her childhood, barely

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

Wishful thinking, indeed.

set down his wine glass and leaned forward. "I was not exactly close with Lark.

carried a hint of sincerity, piquing

butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark, Ashen Pigeon, and I

leave room for the hostage to be 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 sided with her, and I backed

her mother telling

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

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

never to get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I'd

rubbed his cheek. "Back then, 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

went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother's actions were what every operative should

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