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?"

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

back on the sofa, her features alight with

Vivienne. "Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper echelons. But I'm only interested in one thing." Vivienne did

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

eyes, and the

believe, acquainted," Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with an enigmatic

she knew, when her mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only real

seek out friendships, so the term 'friend' applied

Vivienne had never heard of anyone

mother's favorite protégé, Percival, was someone Vivienne had

her mother's name, wanted to recruit her into

Wishful thinking, indeed.

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

of sincerity, piquing Vivienne's interest

the moment she joined the agency. She was stubborn, and so was I. We'd often butt heads, especially during a live exercise

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

remembered her mother telling

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

sharing this story, Karen had said, was to teach Vivienne that no matter what,

replied that while protecting oneself was crucial, between one's safety and the hostage's, the hostage must come first-that was the creed of a

never to get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I'd have the enemy hand them over willingly. Now

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

understood. Your mother's actions were

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