The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The phone at the main office of Vanguard Agency in Sea City rang.

“Percival, do you have any idea what you've done? If this undermines our troops’ morale, can you handle the consequences?” The person questioning Percival was Director Webster, the director of Vanguard Agency’s main office and Vance’s immediate boss.

Percival’s response was cool and indifferent. “So letting my guys get shot for no good reason doesn’t affect morale?” Webster let out a heavy sigh. “If you have a grievance, you take it up with the agency. How can you just take matters into your own hands? Leopold's case has been decided.” “And who's Vance’s direct superior? He assigned this mission. Shouldn't he be the one to give us an explanation?” Percival was tired of beating around the bush with Webster.

It was the sold song and dance, not solving anything. If Webster was calling personally, it meant he was not involved.

That left the bigwig behind the scenes - someone even Webster had to treat with kid gloves.

“I know you've got beef with Vance, and yes, he gave Leopold the order, but someone’s got his back. The main office has warned him sternly, and he’s cut off from ever returning to the main office. For his career, that's a dead end. You're young, Percival. Think before you act.” Realizing Webster was dodging the real issue, Percival snapped back, “If | don’t get an explanation, I'll cto the main office myself.” “You...” Webster sighed again, playing dumb. “Whatever is going on, it’s above your pay grade. Just help Vance manage things in Rivenwood and focus on GTO. GTO’s been quiet; stay sharp. That's all.” With that, Webster hung up. [x] Percival gripped the receiver, a storm brewing in his eyes, swearing that he would drag the person behind this into the light one day.

He had a gut feeling that this person was tied to the traitor within Vanguard Agency.

Then, Vivienne called. Percival picked up.

“Vance is after the ancient warrior lineage,” she said, her voice urgent. “I'm on my way.” Percival frowned, but before he could reply, Vivienne hung up.

She arrived in no time, and they went straight to Vance.

Vance, mid-call with Webster, saw Vivienne and Percival and had no choice but to cut it short.

“Seems like we're meeting each other a lot lately, huh?” Vance stood, inviting them to sit on the couch, his demeanor as calm as if nothing had happened.

“Code n‘Rover’, your boss, right?” Vivienne sat down, her arched eyebrow icy.

Vance’s brow furrowed slightly. “What are you getting at?” Though he kept his cool outwardly, inside, he was shocked. Vivienne had uncovered the code n‘Rover’ - something even Percival, deep in the ranks of Vanguard Agency, could not have known.

Vivienne’s capabilities were not to be underestimated.

“Rover isn’t listed as active in the main office or any other branch. He must be retired now. Yet, he can still pull strings to save your skin, giving you a ‘get out of jail free’ card. | underestimated him.” Vance’s eyes hardened as he faced Vivienne with a solemn expression as if he was ready to silence her anytime.

“What exactly are you trying to say?” Percival stepped in front of Vivienne, his hand reaching for his gun as a warning to Vance. “Don’t move another inch.” But Vivienne calmly pushed Percival’'s hand away, unafraid of Vance’s threats. “You had Frostfire Intelligence Agency investigate Ulysses, sabotaged the Martinez family through Leopold, and now you want to useto get close to the Perez family - all to get to the ancient warrior lineage!” Busted, Vance dropped the act.

“Yes, I'm after the ancient warrior lineage,” Vance admitted, leaning back on the sofa. “Vivienne, Ulysses is your mentor, Finnian, right?” Vivienne did not respond, which Vance took as confirmation.

“I need to find him because my family can’t handle the curse of the Mystic Vein anymore. The Sheldon family’s massacre had nothing to do with us, yet we're the ones suffering the consequences. How is that fair?” Vance was visibly agitated, his hands clenched in frustration.

Vivienne watched him closely, wondering if Vance’s hunt for the ancient warrior lineage had any connection to that call he made to Karen back in the day.

“You guys should have done your homework on the Edwards family. A little digging and you'd know that none of the Edwards ever met a good end,” Vance said, his gaze dropping. “Including my folks. They died in agony, and not even the top doctors in the world could pin down why. It’s all tied to the Sheldon family’s Mystic Vein!” Vivienne lifted her eyes. Of course, she had looked into the Edwards family.

Vance's parents had succumbed to a mysterious illness, as he said, without any apparent cause. They deteriorated rapidly, and by the tthey passed, their lower halves were completely necrotic.

That was why Vance had kept his son Darren and his daughter Ashley away from any dealings related to the Edwards family business all these years. Even Melissa was kept in the dark about the true nature of the Edwards Group.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

“What's the connection, then, between the Martinez family and the other ancient warrior lineages?” Vivienne inquired.

“Heh, ancient warrior lineages,” Vance scoffed, “are just a bunch of pitiful souls who cling onto power, act high and mighty, but are dirtier than anyone else. The Edwards Group got dragged into this mess because of the Mystic Vein, and I've faced restrictions from these ancient warrior lineages at every turn in the Vanguard Agency.

They should never have existed!” Vance's voice grew more fervent, his eyes even reddening. “Those ancient warrior lineage members, with their little tricks, spread evil wherever they go. Why can’t | take them down?” Vivienne watched him, sensing his hatred for the ancient warrior lineages was deeper than she could have imagined.

If Vance was indeed the traitor in the Vanguard Agency, was the call he made to Karen because he knew she was Sasha Perez? Looking at Vance, Vivienne asked, “What does my mother have to do with the ancient warrior lineages? And what was that phone call about?” Vance paused, a suspicious look crossing his face. “What are you talking about? How did we get to Lark?” “Do you dare say you've kept nothing from my mother, that your record is clean?” Vivienne pressed, her tone icy.

Vance licked his lips, his frown deepening. “I'm not your dad. What would | have to hide from your mom? What reason would | have not to be clean?” After a moment, realization dawned on Vance.

He suddenly erupted in rage, pointing at Vivienne’s nose and yelling, “Vivienne, are you suggesting that because of the phone call I made to your mom, she took her own life? Are you accusingof killing your mother?”