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

Vivienne leaned back on the sofa, her features

froze, and he straightened up, his eyes piercing into Vivienne. "Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

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

not, I believe, acquainted," Vivienne said

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

naturally a loner, not one to seek out

her mother's stories, Vivienne had never heard

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

her mother's name, wanted

Wishful thinking, indeed.

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

a hint of sincerity,

the moment she joined the agency. She was stubborn, and so was I. We'd often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she joined.

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

remembered her mother telling her this

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

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

between one's safety and the hostage's, the hostage must come first-that

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

the past, Vance rubbed his cheek. "Back then, I was young and 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 the people

that I finally understood. Your mother's actions were

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