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.

unknown toxins and substances, lying dormant

was right to keep Darren and Ashley out of the Edwards Group affair. Perhaps the lead in his parents' blood was linked to

the early days of the Edwards Group, Vance's folks often returned to the Mystic Vein,

secured hefty health insurance for their workers that the issue

only draped in a shroud of mystery because of the

got more to spill about Rover. Otherwise, you can kiss

Vivienne's last

photos, leaving no trace in

stepping in for

death was suicide. It's got nothing to do with anyone in Vanguard Agency, least of all Rover. He was more torn up about i than anyone else.

your ancient

out. She did not resist,

the night surrounded them. "Vivienne, the Finnian situation... I don't think Vance is

say that?" She

handed her his phone. "Our mystery friend

and sure enough, it was

only cares about the ancient warrior

frowned. "Last time, she warned me to watch out for Vance; now, suddenly, it's all good? Is she

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!

gazing out the window at the bustling

one familiar figure to confront, to

Why? Why all this?