The Million-Dollar Heart

Leopold was buzzing with excitement.

The high-tech gadgets at Vanguard Agency weren't typically available for public use.

Guarded by a dedicated team, even the interrogation equipment was off-limits to field agents like him.

If it weren't for the recent crackdown by the War God within the agency, which had somewhat loosened the reins on such devices, he wouldn't have had a chance to borrow it.

Vivienne commanded, "Scan her."

With a tilt of her chin, she gestured toward Ramona. A playful smirk finally danced on her lips. "Ms. Grimshaw claims I shoved her. She should have my fingerprints on her, right? Take a look for me, will you?" "What are you doing to me?" Ramona's expression twisted in fear the moment she heard "fingerprint scanner."

Luckily, she was looking down, hiding her face from the crowd.

But as Leopold strode over to her, she could no longer maintain her composure. "Don't touch me! Please, someone, help! Keep them away from me!"

Vivienne smiled thinly. "What are you afraid of? That they'll find others' fingerprints on you but none of mine?"

Kala raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Vivienne, do you know something we don't?"

How else could Leopold just happen to bring the scanner today?

Vivienne didn't answer her immediately. Instead, she addressed everyone present. "Why not check your phones? Ms. Grimshaw has been seen with a different man every night for months-from entertainment moguls to hotshot directors, all guests behind her curtain."

"That's slander!" Ramona burst forth, tears streaking her face. “Ms. Hawthorne, you may dislike me, but you can't just toy with my reputation like this!"

She had been standing close to Jackson, which had prevented Leopold from making his move.

front of her. With a ping, the scanner displayed all

"Percival, hold this, will you? If it breaks, I can't report back, and War God will have my hide." Percival, his eyebrows arching

The beauty of this advanced device was its ability to save time searching and

simple swipe with the scanner, and

you've been quite busy today, haven't you? The

it really

some nifty gear but had no idea it was this sophisticated. As she watched Ramona's complexion sour,

the screen and saw a plethora of names, both familiar and not. She gasped,

Good heavens!

So many people!

Leopold stopped reading-it was

prompted by Vivienne, everyone else began checking

name stood out at the top, the

its own rules-the

in with a mix of excitement and dread and were bombarded with photos and videos of Ramona entering hotels with different men, emerging from dinner parties-the evidence was

seems she's had a steady stream of company

knew such a pure-looking flower was actually

and disgusted glances

piercing her skin-painful and uncomfortable. She could guess what the photos online looked like, but she hadn't done

a line you just don't cross!" Her delicate hands clenched into

her knuckles cracking didn't escape Vivienne and Percival,

you haven't done anything, prove it. But, from what I remember, your file said your parents were just blue-collar workers.

our cover, we're both done for!" Jackson scanned the online content at lightning speed, stepping

ice-cold water dumped on Ramona's head, sobering