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?"

a forced smile. "Perhaps

you even know who I am?" Vivienne leaned back

"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.

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

mother and you were not, I believe, acquainted," Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with an enigmatic

mother was with the Vanguard

naturally a loner, not one to seek out friendships,

Vivienne had never

Vivienne had barely met in her childhood, barely

invoking her mother's name, wanted to

Wishful thinking, indeed.

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

carried a hint of sincerity,

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

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.

mother telling

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

was to teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should

was crucial, between one's safety and the hostage's, the hostage must come first-that was

"I'd make sure never to get hurt if I 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 with

in Lark's actions. I thought that if you

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

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