The Million-Dollar Heart

Percival grinned with a hint of mischief. "Looking to delve into the secrets of the ancient warrior lineages, are you? Well, I'm your guy. I'll be your greatest asset." Vance placed the business card on the table, his finger tapping over the name Mr. Percy, and asked with a serious tone, "So, you trust me now?"

Doubts about his alleged betrayal of the Vanguard Agency had always gnawed at him.

He did harbor ulterior motives, sure, but staining his hands with betrayal? That was a line he would not cross.

Percival's lips curved slightly. "Your obsession is solely with the ancient warrior lineages."

Vance fell silent, mulling over his options.

An alliance with Percival could indeed clear the fog shrouding the mysteries of the ancient warrior lineages.

But trust was not on the table, and their partnership was fraught with peril.

Now, cut off from the Agency's mainframe, he was blind to the secrets he sought. He needed an external ally.

"Why help me?" Vance finally asked.

Percival lowered his gaze briefly, then met Vance's eyes. "Your fixation with the ancient warrior lineages runs deep. I'd rather assist you now than risk others exploiting you later." The insinuation stung Vance like a slap across the face.

"So, you and Vivienne still suspect I might betray the Agency!"

Percival did not deny it. "In my eyes, you were never the saint."

Vance was momentarily lost for words.

Indeed, in his pursuit of the truth behind the ancient warrior lineages, he had strayed from his initial path.

Conscience had become a distant echo, fading with time.

work with me. Aren't you afraid

second reason I'm willing to gamble on you," Percival replied with

fall, yes, but had also arranged for his survival and, in the shadows, safeguarded Griffin,

he was not completely heartless after

sighed heavily. "Fine. Since you've made up

Micah back before the end of next week, or our deal is off," Percival demanded, standing

whatever you do, don't forget you were once an outstanding operative of the Vanguard Agency!" A twinge of deep reluctance flickered across Percival's

he stepped through that door, he would no longer be a Vanguard Agency operative. Their ties would

later, he left without looking back, closing a chapter on his life at the Vanguard Agency. Percival's resignation sent shock

Soren, who seemed to question his

you his brother-in-arms? You grew up together, and you don't know why he quit?" Soren's eyes were red with disbelief. Equally blindsided, Leopold could not fathom Percival leaving the

I don't know! Cut it out!" Leopold

frustrations exploded into a scuffle, which Thomas and Anna quickly

"Enough!" Thomas bellowed.

turned his anger on Thomas. "And you? As his assistant, you must know

would I know? I got the news at the same time as you

As the team leader and commander, shouldn't you be calming your teams down? Have you forgotten what the deputy director told us?" The three finally regained their composure, with Thomas taking the lead to gather the troops and Leopold and Soren attending to

leisurely at

had been waiting, revving her motorcycle's engine as Percival's car

the wind!" She

their hair and

car, methodically unbuttoning his tailored suit jacket and tossing it over the hood like

the waist with one hand, and, with a little effort, placed her on

was surprisingly in harmony with his biker attire-a striking figure with an edge of

he said, revving the engine and fixing his gaze on the road

frame, resting her

moment, they were truly