The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival took the file from Micah, his brows furrowing in confusion. It was a mission dossier

handed down from HQ but without its origin.

The target was the GTO’s virus research facility nestled in Sea City!

The file demanded Percival’s covert presence, with Micah coordinating from Rivenwood HQ

and the three squad leaders on standby.

Such an order was out of season; it did not make sense.

Percival rubbed his fingers. “Someone inside HQ is helping us?”

Micah shook his head. “I called HQ this morning, and they were still steamed about me

sending Vivienne into the war zone, as well as you and Husky leaking our war zone

position to her. No way they sent this.”

Percival’s eyes narrowed in thought.

If not from HQ, then where did this mission come from?

Micah tapped the table, “What’s our first rule of thumb upon joining the team?”

Percival raised an eyebrow. “Absolute obedience to command!”

“Right. We’ve got the dossier, and it’s top-secret, so there’s no need to report back. We

execute.”

Percival and Micah exchanged a knowing smile. Whether or not the file was legit, it was an

unmistakable asset to them.

After all, Vanguard Agency’s headquarters was in Sea City!

Percival handed over all command to Micah, silently signaling Thomas to follow suit, and

instructed Leopold to guard Griffin’s munitions base. At the same time, Soren stood ready

for a call to support Sea City.

The next morning, Vivienne went to the Ellington Mansion early without asking Percival to

pick her up.

She had squared away her affairs the day prior, telling Dorian she would be away from

Rivenwood for a spell.

Dorian did not pry. There was no stopping Vivienne once she had made up her mind.

…

At the Ellington Mansion.

Percival spoke to the family, “Grandpa, I’m taking Vivienne to Sea City. Grandma Wendy

had called Mom a while back, wanting me to swing by.”

Richard sighed heavily, his distaste for Percival’s maternal side of the family evident.

Cecilia also hesitated, her gaze on Percival betraying her dissatisfaction with the trip to

Sea City.

After a long pause, Cecilia finally spoke, “Percival, it’s no bother if you don’t go. Your

grandmother’s side doesn’t have anything pressing—just a bunch of hypochondriacs. Why

seek out their disapproval?”

Vivienne found it strange.

Why was Cecilia so averse to her flesh and blood?

Nathan agreed. “Your grandmother’s place isn’t worth a visit, especially with Vivienne.

What if she gets bullied?”

Richard chimed in. “Indeed, we’ve cut ties with your grandmother’s family for years.

There’s no good coming from them calling on you now.”

Percival took Vivienne’s hand, assuring the family. “With me by Vivienne’s side, she won’t

face any bullying. Relax.”

“I’m not so sure I can,” Cecilia complained. “Your grandmother is no saint. I remember all

too well how she wronged your father.”

At this, tears welled up in Cecilia’s eyes.

Nathan quickly enveloped Cecilia in his arms. “It’s been years, darling. Why the tears

every time?”

“How can I not cry? We’re both her daughters, yet how could she play favorites like this?

As if I wasn’t her own!”

Cecilia had even gone so far as to take multiple paternity tests, unable to believe she was

really born to her family. How else could they have treated her so poorly?

Percival sighed quietly, sitting beside Cecilia, Isolde on his lap. “Mom, I promise, Vivienne

won’t face any slight, nor will Grandma Wendy get the chance to. They need to know I

already have a fiancée.”

At that, Vivienne raised an eyebrow.

No wonder the family was concerned about her facing mistreatment. Someone was vying

for Mr. Wolf.

All the more reason to see who dared challenge her for her man!Books Chapters Are Daily

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Nathan, soothing Cecilia, found his son’s words sensible. They should show them just how

stellar his future daughter-in-law was.

“Percival’s right. Take her to show your mom. Our daughter-in-law is the best there is,

right?”

Richard nodded along. “Then, it’s settled. Call me if you need anything. I’ll deal with that

old hag myself!”

Nathan quickly intervened. “Let’s not, Dad. Just wait for good news at home.”

He vividly remembered Richard’s confrontation at the Boyd family’s home. The Boyds

were probably still cursing them to this day!

Cecilia dabbed her eyes, conceding as her father-in-law and husband agreed, then turned

to Vivienne. “Darling, come with me to the room. There’s something I need to tell you.”

This was the first time Vivienne saw a serious look on Cecilia’s face.

She followed Cecilia to the bedroom and immediately noticed her perfume on the vanity,

shining brightly.

Cecilia sat down, pulled out a box with a lock from the bottom drawer, and opened it with

a delicate key from her necklace.

“Vivienne, come take a seat,” Cecilia said, patting the chair beside her.

Vivienne moved across and sat down. Her eyes widened as she saw the contents of the

small box before her—a ring.

The design was vintage, yet the material still sparkled brightly, a clear indicator of its

considerable worth.

Cecilia lifted the ring and placed it gently in Vivienne’s palm, her eyes brimming with

reluctance and affection.

She was not hesitant to give it to Vivienne; rather, the ring held immeasurable significance

to her, perhaps even more than life itself.

“This little treasure was passed down to me by my grandma, the kindest soul in the whole

Boyd family,” Cecilia’s voice cracked slightly as she wiped away a tear that had escaped

down her cheek.

Vivienne’s lips parted, ready to refuse such a meaningful heirloom, but Cecilia caught her

hand firmly.

“Vivienne, this ring is a Boyd family heirloom, the symbol of the head of the family.

Percival’s grandma has been searching for it for years, although I never brought it

forward.”

“The ring is for me?” Vivienne had no interest in leading the Boyd family.

Cecilia pressed her lips together before continuing, “When Grandma entrusted it to me, I

knew I didn’t have the means to command the respect of the Boyd family. Besides, since I

married and came here, I preferred to stay out of Sea City’s affairs. I had planned to give

this ring to Percival’s future bride, and now that you’re here, it naturally belongs to you. I

had hoped to present it to you at a formal occasion, like your wedding, but since you’re

heading to Sea City and the Boyd family, it seems right to give it to you now.”

As she spoke, Cecilia took out a notebook and a pen and began to jot down a list of names

from top to bottom.

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