At the headquarters of Rivenwood Vanguard Agency.

Percival nudged open the door to the director's office. "You wanted to see me, Vance?"

Vance gestured towards the chair across from his desk. "Take a seat, Percival."

Percival squinted slightly before complying, settling into the chair facing Vance.

"What's Vivienne been up to lately?" Vance casually flipped through the documents on his desk as he inquired.

Percival lifted his gaze, his tone airy. "Vance, should I be concerned that you're taking an interest in my fiancée?"

Vance shot him a look, chuckling. "No need for that. My romance is quite blissful."

The joke did little to amuse Percival, who mainly remained expressionless.

Vance snapped the folder shut and looked up. "Can you ask Vivienne to swing by HQ? I've got a rather pressing matter, and I'd like to discuss a potential partnership with her." Percival's eyes flickered. "What kind of partnership?"

Vance's smile persisted, "That's something I don't think I need to share with you."

His stance was clear: even though Percival was Vivienne's betrothed, Vance preferred to approach her directly with this matter.

Percival's lips curled into a slight smile. "Alright then."

With that, Percival stood and left.

Vance watched him go, the smile slowly fading from his face.

Back in his own office, Percival dialed Vivienne.

"Vivienne, he's looking to collaborate. Didn't say on what."

Vivienne's laughter filtered through, "Vance loves his mysteries, but what's the point? It'll come out eventually."

smile broadened. "This seems different from

a few questions

pick

through the phone, and Percival

outside. Came to pick you up after work, but it

warmly as he

staff at Vanguard

into

director smile

glanced up quietly

only looked like this for one reason.

took Vivienne's hand, and they headed to the

in," Vance called out upon

up, surprised to see Percival

with a smile, standing to

across from Vance, her smile enigmatic. "When Mr. Edwards summons, I

call me Uncle," Vance

took the cup, inhaling the aroma, "Lovely coffee. You must have something complex

his eyebrows at her persistent formality, "Yes, the collaboration I

continuing, "You're behind the famous Frostfire Intelligence

of Sea City Vanguard Agency,

you need to know, Mr. Edwards, the right price will get you the

let out a laugh. "I need to dig into a cold case. Name

a moment.

case that even Vanguard Agency can't

stood and walked to a locked cabinet, retrieving

We can't dig into everything. And this

ancient lineage

and the title alone

The Sheldon

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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