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

I am?" Vivienne leaned back

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.

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

Vivienne said calmly,

was with the Vanguard Agency, her only real ally

naturally a loner, not one to seek out friendships, so the

Vivienne had never heard of

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

mother's name, wanted to

Wishful thinking, indeed.

forward. "I was

sincerity, piquing Vivienne's interest to hear

She was stubborn, and so was 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, tasked

situation did not 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

her mother telling her

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

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

between

Vivienne had confidently told her 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

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

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

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