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?"

He flashed a forced smile.

leaned back on the sofa, her features alight with a

smile froze, and he straightened up, his eyes piercing into Vivienne. "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

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

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

believe, acquainted," Vivienne said calmly, her tone

her mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only real ally

mother was naturally a loner, not one to seek out friendships, so

her mother's stories, Vivienne had never heard of anyone besides

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

Vance, invoking her mother's name, wanted to recruit her into the

Wishful thinking, indeed.

glass and leaned forward. "I was not exactly close with Lark.

a hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne's interest

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

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

remembered her mother telling her this

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

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

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

mother, "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

and hot-headed. I didn't see the point in Lark's actions. I thought that if you

went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother's actions

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