The Million-Dollar Heart

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?"

put Vance in an awkward spot. He flashed a forced smile. "Perhaps

Vivienne leaned back on the sofa, her features alight with a

his eyes piercing into Vivienne. "Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper echelons. But I'm only interested in

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

fierce glint flashed in Vivienne's eyes, and the casual indifference vanished, replaced by an

you were not, I believe, acquainted," Vivienne said calmly, her tone

mother was with the

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

her mother's stories, Vivienne had never heard of

Percival, was someone Vivienne had barely met in her childhood, barely remembering

invoking her mother's name, wanted to recruit her

Wishful thinking, indeed.

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

hint of sincerity, piquing

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

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 harmed in any way. We argued, but ultimately, Ashen Pigeon sided with her, and I backed down. Lark took a risk, got herself injured, but managed to get the hostage out

remembered her mother telling her this

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

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

injured wasn't a compromise. Karen 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

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

Vance rubbed his cheek. "Back then, I was young and hot-headed. I didn't see the point in Lark's actions. I

not until I went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother's actions were what every operative