The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Thomas was taken aback, his eyes darting towards Percival.

“Ma’am, you’re practically signing my death warrant here!” He yelled inside.

“Percival, hear me out. This is the training grounds. I have to be in combat gear. I am the Chief

Instructor, and I can’t very well train them in a suit and tie!”

Percival’s eyes briefly swept over Thomas’s attire without a word, instead wrapping his arm around

Vivienne, and they made their way deeper into the training area.

For a few seconds, Thomas felt like he just walked through the valley of the shadow of death.

Leopold slapped Thomas on the back with a smirk, “Man, that gear does look sharp on you, though.”

Thomas shot him a glare that could kill and kicked out at him half-heartedly, then quickly caught up with

Percival.

“Percival, the training’s halfway through. If we’re bringing in the newbie, we might need to fast-track

her.”

Thomas implied that Anna had to pass the earlier assessment today if she wanted to keep her spot

here.

Percival’s stern face held a grave expression as he said, “Let’s begin now.”

Neither Vivienne nor Anna had any objections.

It was only fair.

If Anna could not pass the earlier assessments, it only proved she did not have the mettle to stay.

“Captain.”

Off in the distance, a man in an olive-drab tee approached, saluting Percival crisply.

This was Soren, the physical training examiner.

After exchanging pleasantries with Percival, Soren sized up Vivienne. Then his gaze landed on Anna.

“So you’re the little lady who waltzed in through the back door?”

His tone was less than friendly, and his eyes were full of disdain.

Thomas signaled to him discreetly, whispering, “Soren, watch the attitude.”

“Come on, man, she’s Ma’am’s protégé. Besides, it’s not like she wanted the shortcut. If she can’t

make the cut, even Percival won’t keep her here. Don’t be so aggressive, or you might just tick off

Percival!” He thought, trying to signal Soren with his eyes.

But Soren acted as if he saw and heard nothing, continuing his spiel to Anna. “I’m the physical training

instructor. We will start your assessment now. If you don’t make it, beat it, and I don’t care who brought

you here.”

His words were clearly directed at Vivienne.

Leopold, noticing Soren’s target, stepped forward angrily, “Soren, who the fuck do you think you’re

talking to with that attitude?”

Vivienne, however, pulled Leopold back, her icy gaze landing squarely on Soren. “You’re not wrong.

Show your worth, and don’t waste my time.”

Soren frowned slightly. “Who’s wasting whose time is yet to be seen!”

A flash of annoyance crossed Percival’s face. “Soren, empty threats aren’t your style.”

Soren, captain of the Vanguard Agency’s special squad third division, was the most hot-headed of the

captains, but his skills were second to none.

In terms of overall capability, he was stronger than Leopold and just as stubborn.

The only person he respected was Percival. As for Thomas and Leopold, Soren hardly paid them any

heed.

Upon hearing Percival speak, Soren’s attitude softened slightly.

“Fine, follow me. Let your skills do the talking.” Soren gave Vivienne a warning glance.

That look piqued Vivienne’s interest.

It seemed Soren’s real challenge was with her.

Interesting.

Vivienne’s lips curved into a slight smile, utterly unfazed by Soren.

Those who could not even beat Percival were not worthy opponents for her.

Anna tossed her backpack to the ground and faced Soren defiantly. “Let’s not make this complicated.

You be my opponent. If I win, I stay for training. If I lose, I’ll pack up and leave without fuss.”

Surprised by Anna’s challenge, Soren saw the fire in the eyes of the teenager before him.

Anna changed into more comfortable clothes, and a one-on-one battle with Soren unfolded on the

muddy training field.

Vivienne watched from the sidelines, aware of Anna’s abilities and Soren’s competence.

The outcome was anyone’s guess.

“Mr. Wolf, care to wager?” Vivienne raised an eyebrow. “I bet a hundred grand on Anna.”

“Then I’ll put my money on Soren,” Percival replied, his interest piqued.

The trainees gathered around, cheering on their instructor.

Anna, fueled by the roaring crowd, only grew more determined.

The fight between the two was fierce, with mud flying as they grappled, soon turning them into mud-

splattered warriors.

Soren’s moves were sharp and precise, and Anna used her agility to dodge his assaults repeatedly.

In the end, the match was too close to call.

Soren had a grip on Anna’s vital point while she held his artery in her grasp.

Locked in a stalemate, neither could advance.

Vivienne’s lips formed a triumphant smile, turning to Percival, “Looks like we both lose.”

Thomas blew the whistle, stepped forward, and separated them, announcing the result, “It’s a draw.”

Leopold jeered at Soren. “Man, are you embarrassed? Fighting to a draw with a little girl?”

Soren kicked a clod of mud, sending it flying straight at Leopold.

Vivienne subtly pulled Leopold back a couple of inches, and the mud landed right at the tip of his shoe.

With a flick of her toe, a pebble soared up, striking Soren’s knee.

The move was smooth and went unnoticed even by Leopold at her side.

Soren felt a numbness in his leg from the pebble and looked at Vivienne in surprise.

She raised an eyebrow at him.

Did he really think he could bully her protege right before her?

Inside, Soren was shocked. Vivienne had the skill to attack him in the blink of an eye, and he was none

the wiser!

In fact, had Vivienne not intended for him to notice, he would never have known that the pebble had

come from her.

Soren cast a deep glance at Vivienne.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All

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He had not joined the last few missions with Vanguard Agency, only hearing through the grapevine that

the captain’s wife was a puzzle wrapped in an enigma, having the captain utterly spellbound—and it

irked him.

In Soren’s eyes, Percival was a legend, the only man he truly admired.

And Vivienne? She was just a nobody. How special could she be?

In Soren’s book, the person worthy of Percival did not exist.

Seeing Vivienne today only exacerbated his discontent.

Entrance to the training camp was reserved for those who passed the preliminary trials, and yet, there

she was—her relationship with the captain had shoehorned her in.

Was this not leading the captain astray?

Hence, Soren’s dissatisfaction grew. It was bad enough if she could not assist their captain, but she

was even holding him back.

However, now, Soren was beginning to see things a little differently.

At the very least, he had to admit that Vivienne’s capabilities exceeded his own.

But whether she was a match for the captain remained to be seen.

Anna brushed the dirt off her clothes and called out to Soren with a hint of sass, “So, hotshot, do I pass

the test or what?”

Soren was taken aback, then his gaze hardened. “You passed. Go change into your training gear and

get started!”

With that, Soren stormed off, his anger palpable.

Leopold was puzzled. “Hotshot? Anna, his name is Soren.”

Anna flexed her wrist casually, “I know. But the guy’s got an ego bigger than this training field.”