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?"

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

am?" Vivienne leaned back on the sofa, her

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,

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

flashed in Vivienne's eyes, and the casual

not, I believe, acquainted," Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with an

she knew, when her mother was with

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

Vivienne had never

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

wanted to recruit her into the

Wishful thinking, indeed.

glass and leaned forward. "I was not exactly close with Lark. Quite the opposite, we were

admission carried a hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne's interest to

during a live exercise not long after

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 took a risk, got herself

her mother

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

teach Vivienne that no matter what,

between one's safety and the hostage's, the hostage must come first-that was the creed of a

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 laughed

the point in

finally understood. Your

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