The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival immediately got in touch with Thomas. “We need to head to Sea City. Leopold's in trouble.” Thomas was in the midst of a routine drill at Vanguard Agency. Hearing Percival’'s words, his expression froze.

“Husky checked in from a different location just this morning, and he replied to the roll call in the chat group ten minutes ago. There's no way something’s happened.” To streamline operations, Vanguard Agency conducted random roll calls in their chat group, ensuring everyone checked in unless they were deep undercover like Vance.

Percival’s brows furrowed.

Ten minutes ago was when Vivienne had made her first call.

If Leopold was replying to the roll call, he could not have missed Vivienne's call! What on earth was going on? Vivienne also sensed that something was amiss. It was unlike Leopold to drop off the radar.

Then, out of the blue, Charlotte Redwood, who had not been in touch for a while, called Vivienne.

“Things have hit the fan, Vivienne. Something happened to Griffin,” Charlotte said, her voice laced with urgency.

“What's happened?” Vivienne asked, her face a mask of composure.

Leopold had been assigned to infiltrate the Martinez family. If Griffin was in trouble, too, it had to be connected.

Charlotte swallowed hard before replying, “Griffin's been locked up by her family. They won't let her communicate with anyone. If it was not for an old cell phone she found to contactwith, I'd have no clue she was in trouble.” Griffin was locked up? Vivienne’s brow creased. “Why would the Martinez camiB ck up Griffin? What's gone down?” “That guy she was crushing on—Leopold. He's been caught stealing bioweapon secrets from the Martinez family.

He’s now locked up in Sea City’s military prison, awaiting trial!” “What?” Vivienne gripped Percival’s wrist, and he immediately pulled over to the curb, still on the line with Thomas.

Vivienne turned on the speakerphone so both Percival and Thomas could hear.

“Why would Leopold steal bioweapon secrets from the Martinez family?” Vivienne pressed for answers.

Charlotte stamped her foot in frustration. “I've got no idea, and neither does Griffin. She just can’t believe Leopold would do such a thing. She wanted to testify for him in court, and that’s why she’s been detained. She contactedso | could get in touch with you to see if you could cup with a plan.” “Griffin mentioned that the bioweapon research is a national secret. If Leopold doesn’t cclean, he could be facing the death penalty. And this time, it's someone from the ancient warrior lineage intervening directly. They said not even Leopold's superiors can do anything about it.” Percival’s already stern face grew colder. It was obvious—they did not want him involved.

“How long has Leopold been locked up?” Percival inquired.

Charlotte hesitated, then quickly replied, “Mr. Ellington, he’s been in custody for nearly two weeks. Griffin's beside herself with worry.” The chill on Percival’s face deepened. “Thomas, what's Leopold's check-in record been like over the past couple of weeks?” “Punctual and responsive, nothing unusual.” Thomas's voice cooled as well.

Then, Soren’s voice cthrough. “Percival, something's fishy here.” “Ms. Vivienne, Husky's been active in our chat group every day for the last two weeks. He's been responding less, but the last the spoke was three days ago,” Anna added.

Their chat group was initially set up by Vivienne to discuss a new bomb detection device but had since turned into a casual conversation hub.

Vivienne and Percival seldom checked the group, usually leaving Anna and Thomas to interact with Leopold.

If Leopold had been checking in normally and chatting in the group for the past two weeks, it meant someone had been controlling all his means of external communication! Vivienne’s expression frosted over.

“Charlotte, tell Griffin not to worry. I'll figure out a way to get Leopold out. He won't be harmed,” Vivienne said with icy resolve. The undertone was clear: mess with her people, and you'd pay.

Her protégé was only hers to bully! Charlotte nodded vigorously. “Okay, | can’t contact Griffin often, but I'll pass the message. Please, Vivienne and Mr. Ellington, you have to help them.” After assuring Charlotte, Vivienne ended the call.

Percival instructed, “Keep messaging Leopold as usual through the group chat.” “Roger that.” With that, Thomas disconnected, too.

Percival pocketed his phone. “Vivienne, trace Leopold's last locations from the group chat and his cell.” “On it,” Vivienne pulled out her portable mini laptop and began to trace all of Leopold's communication devices.

Seconds later, her expression darkened.

“He’s at the Rivenwood Vanguard Agency headquarters!” Vivienne snapped the computer shut. “It’s Vance again.” Vivienne was seething as she punched the numbers into her phone, her voice firm and resolute. “Rally the troops, everyone in the Nine Mystics Society. Our target is Sea City’s military prison. It's tfor a breakout!” Vivienne was undoubtedly furious this time.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

If Leopold had screwed up royally, there was no need for Vanguard Agency to interfere, and she would personally escort him to the prison.

But being framed and rushed to trial? That was a pill she was absolutely not going to swallow without a fight.

Percival laid a restraining hand on her shoulder. “Vivienne, givea moment here. We can’t just storm the prison, not yet.” The full picture was still a blur, and Percival knew if they went in blind, the fallout would be catastrophic.

Vivienne’s glare could have cut glass as she turned to him. “Leopold's trial is tomorrow. | don’t have time!” “I get it. But if I don’t have this mess figured out by midnight, then you do what you have to do. Just think about it, Vivienne. If we go in guns blazing, Leopold can kiss his Vanguard Agency career goodbye.” Percival’s grip on her hand was vice-like.

He felt her urgency in his bones.

Leopold was more than a childhood friend; he was a brother-in-arms who had been through hell and back with him. And now Leopold was in a bind, and Percival was just as frantic.

But he knew Leopold's life’s ambition was to retire with honors from the Agency, his chest bedecked with more medals than anyone else.

The idea of him stealing state secrets was ludicrous. Such treachery was unthinkable for any of their comrades.

There was only one explanation - this was a setup, a mission from way up the chain.

But without clarity, Percival could not let Vivienne storm the prison. If they did, and the charges stuck, Leopold's dreams would be dashed forever.

Vivienne's rage cooled, her beautiful face framed with a veil of frost. She dialed Draven again, her voice now icy calm, “Stand by at Sea City. Wait for my order.” “Understood.” Draven immediately mobilized the Nine Mystics Society, setting their sights on Sea City.