The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne lifted her hand with a delicate motion, her fingertips brushing against Vance's.

The contact sent a jolt of pain through Vance's finger, causing him to slump back onto the couch, but his eyes remained locked on Vivienne with intensity. "Sure, Lark and Ashen Pigeon and I didn't see eye to eye, but our beef was strictly professional. I have no reason to off her, so show some respect, will ya?"

His agitation caught Vivienne off guard. She had obviously struck a nerve.

Still cradling his wrist, Vance stared at her, "Neither you nor Micah have any ground to suspect me. I admit I've got a grudge against the ancient warrior lineages, and I use my job to dig around. But as an agen of Vanguard Agency, from field operative to the director I am today, I've honored every mission and every badge I've ever worn on my uniform!

Look, Vivienne, Percival, you can accuse me of neglect, of not caring about the future and safety of my agents, but you can never question my commitment to Vanguard Agency!"

In Percival's eyes, Vance was far from a model director. In fact, he did not even deserve the title.

Sacrificing his own people for personal gain, landing them in military prison while acting like nothing happened, seeing them meet their ends without lifting a finger... Such a man did not inspire Percival's respect.

But he could not deny the truth in Vance's words.

The room fell silent for a few minutes, with no one speaking.

After some time, Vance's emotions seemed to stabilize. "My mission for the Frostfire Intelligence Agency still stands. Next time you swing by, I expect news about your mentor."

It was a clear dismissal, and his tone was less than friendly.

Vivienne looked back at Vance.

He seemed to be shackled by his obsessions.

An obsession with the ancient warrior lineages, with the Sheldon family.

She had seen the medical records of Vance's parents before they died, which had nothing to do with some karmic cycle.

laced with unknown toxins and substances, lying dormant in the body before finally manifesting and causing

and Ashley out of the Edwards Group affair. Perhaps the lead in his

the Edwards Group, Vance's folks often returned to the Mystic Vein, and they were frequently

secured hefty health insurance for their

karma. The matter was only draped in a shroud of mystery because of the Sheldon family's line

we meet, I hope you've got more to spill about Rover. Otherwise,

was Vivienne's

blurry in photos, leaving no trace in the

sensed him stepping in for Vance, Vivienne would

do you want to know about Rover? Vivienne, your mom's death was suicide. It's got nothing to do with anyone in Vanguard Agency, least of

your ancient warrior lineage feud out of the agency. I'm not letting this

Vivienne out. She did not resist, following him to his

started the engine, the calm of the night surrounded them.

do you say that?"

her his phone. "Our

and sure enough,

about

warned me to watch out for Vance; now, suddenly, it's

more certain of who this mysterious person was, her anger towards her only grew. She had lied to her for years! And she had always been right there, beside her! Percival ruffled her hair. "She must have her reasons

at the bustling streets, her

familiar figure to confront, to

Why? Why all this?