The Million-Dollar Heart

The phone connected almost instantly.

Percival's voice cut through the line with a chill, "This is Deputy Director Percival of Rivenwood Vanguard Agency headquarters. My third squad leader, Leopold, is currently detained at a military prison and is set for trial tomorrow morning. I'm requesting a delay in the trial. Director Vance has unanswered questions. I repeat, postpone Leopold's trial. Director Vance has unanswered questions!"

Without waiting for a response, Percival sharply ended the call and whipped out his tablet to connect with the Sea City main office.

If Leopold was still on the docket for trial tomorrow, Percival would not hesitate to storm the military prison himself.

The message was sent to the public channel, clear for all of Vanguard Agency to see.

Outrage rippled through the ranks.

Leopold was merely carrying out orders from the higher-ups, and now they wanted to let him take the fall? That was not going to fly.

If this was how things were going to be, who would lay their life on the line for Vanguard Agency?

The collective anger forced the main office to reschedule Leopold's trial hastily and mute all agents on the public channel to prevent further uproar.

But the cat was out of the bag, and the situation was spiraling beyond control. Whether it was the main office or Vance himself, somebody had to give an explanation.

"Percival, is it worth risking your career over this?" Vance asked.

Percival's face remained stoic as he pocketed his tablet. "I've never cared about my career," he replied sharply.

He sank into a chair and pulled out his phone to text Vivienne, updating her on Leopold's predicament.

he pressed on, "I've got plenty of time, Vance. Ready to spill the

mission. My superiors wanted me to secure the bioweapon research from the Martinez family to let Vanguard Agency develop it. With your years here, you should know that one of the two factions within the agency is linked to the ancient warrior lineage. Your ascension to

is the core of the Vanguard Agency itself. While complementary, their roles differ. Now, we're looking to merge the ancient warrior lineage

laugh escaped Percival. "Since when did

clearly uncomfortable with the notion himself. "I know it's wrong, but orders are orders. We're just the executors. It's the top brass who decides." Percival adjusted his cufflink. "Which

to save Leopold, you'll have to deal with the ancient warrior lineage. I'm powerless here." Percival narrowed his eyes. "Stealing Griffin's prototype bomb 'Morning Glory' that ended up on the market, and now this heist? You seem quite adept at these undertakings." Vance was stunned for a moment. "I admit I took 'Morning Glory' from Griffin for this

reaction

that 'Morning Glory' ended up aboard

"Clarify your statement. Which market exactly did 'Morning Glory' end up?

your superiors. You're just the executor, right?" Percival shot back, dismissively

would not reveal the so-called

The Perez Mansion.

Vivienne had just arrived.

were sparring in the yard when they noticed her. Maddox grinned, "Hey, niece, come judge for us. Loser takes out the trash tomorrow morning!"

up on the tension, Zelda scooped up Natalia, and Diana gently pulled

glance back

yard fell silent as Maddox and Yuri's playful

"Vivienne, what's the matter?"

in Sea City's military prison. I could pull strings to get him out, but that's not the way he'd want this handled. That's why I'm here, to ask for your help," Vivienne