The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne lifted her hand with a delicate motion, her fingertips brushing against Vance’s.

The contact sent a jolt of pain through Vance’s finger, causing him to slump back onto the couch, but his eyes remained locked on Vivienne with intensity. “Sure, Lark and Ashen Pigeon and | didn’t see eye to eye, but our beef was strictly professional. | have no reason to off her, so show srespect, will ya?” His agitation caught Vivienne off guard. She had obviously struck a nerve.

Still cradling his wrist, Vance stared at her, “Neither you nor Micah have any ground to suspect me. | admit I've got a grudge against the ancient warrior lineages, and | use my job to dig around. But as an agent of Vanguard Agency, from field operative to the director | am today, I've honored every mission and every badge I've ever worn on my uniform! Look, Vivienne, Percival, you can accuseof neglect, of not caring about the future and safety of my agents, but you can never question my commitment to Vanguard Agency!” In Percival’s eyes, Vance was far from a model director. In fact, he did not even deserve the title.

Sacrificing his own people for personal gain, landing them in military prison while acting like nothing happened, seeing them meet their ends without lifting a finger... Such a man did not inspire Percival’s respect.

But he could not deny the truth in Vance’s words.

The room fell silent for a few minutes, with no one speaking.

After stime, Vance’s emotions seemed to stabilize. “My mission for the Frostfire Intelligence Agency still stands. Next tyou swing by, | expect news about your mentor.” It was a clear dismissal, and his tone was less than friendly.

Vivienne looked back at Vance.

He seemed to be shackled by his obsessions. Aa An obsession with the ancient warrior lineages, with the Sheldon family.

She had seen the medical records of Vance’s parents before they died, which had nothing to do with skarmic cycle.

It was chronic lead poisoning—this lead was different, laced with unknown toxins and substances, lying dormant in the body before finally manifesting and causing a violent death.

Vance was right to keep Darren and Ashley out of the Edwards Group affair. Perhaps the lead in his parents’ blood was linked to the Mystic Vein.

In the early days of the Edwards Group, Vance'’s folks often returned to the Mystic Vein, and they were frequently taken to court over sick or dead workers.

It was only after the Edwards Group secured hefty health insurance for their workers that the issue was quelled.

That Mystic Vein was definitely problematic. However, Vance’s parent's deaths were certainly not due to karma.

The matter was only draped in a shroud of mystery because of the Sheldon family’s line of work.

In a way, Vance was indeed a pitiable man.

“Next twe meet, | hope you've got more to spill about Rover. Otherwise, you can kiss any chance of finding my mentor goodbye!” Rover was Vivienne’s last target.

An enigma, always blurry in photos, leaving no trace in the entire Vanguard Agency.

If Jasper had not sensed him stepping in for Vance, Vivienne would have had nothing on him.

Vance snapped at her, “What do you want to know about Rover? Vivienne, your mom's death was suicide. It's got nothing to do with anyone in Vanguard Agency, least of all Rover. He was more torn up about it than anyone else. Stop being so paranoid!” Vivienne did not respond, but Percival stepped in front of her, blocking Vance's view. “Keep your ancient warrior lineage feud out of the agency. I'm not letting this slide, not this time.” With that, Percival led Vivienne out. She did not resist, following him to his car.

As Percival started the engine, the calm of the night surrounded them. “Vivienne, the Finnian situation... | don’t think Vance is involved.” “Why do you say that?” She asked.

Percival handed her his phone. “Our mystery friend sent the info here.” She took the phone, and sure enough, it was that mystery contact.

[Vance only cares about the ancient warrior lineage.] Vivienne frowned. “Last time, she warnedto watch out for Vance; now, suddenly, it’s all good? Is she playing me?” As Vivienne grew more certain of who this mysterious person was, her anger towards her only grew. She had lied to her for years! And she had always been right there, beside her! Percival ruffled her hair. “She must have her reasons for doing what she’s done.” Vivienne exhaled, gazing out the window at the bustling streets, her bright eyes scanning every face.

Not one familiar figure to confront, to demand answers from.

Why? Why all this? It took her a moment to collect herself. “Let’s go find Finnian.” Percival responded with a nod and turned the car around, heading to the house he had prepared for Finnian earlier.

Vivienne called Finnian over, and by the tone of her voice, he knew something was up. Not wanting to delay, he put down his cutlery and rushed over.

He sighed to himself, wondering what was even the point of having an apprentice.

“Kiddo, what's up? Did Percival give you a hard time? Needto knock him down a peg for ya?” Finnian strolled in with a grin, a strawberry cheesecake in hand, ready to cheer up his apprentice.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Vivienne gestured with her chin towards the couch across from her, signaling for Finnian to take a seat.

Finnian handed the strawberry cheesecake to Percival, who silently took it and began cutting it into bite-sized pieces, making it easier for Vivienne to eat.

“What's the deal with your family’s Mystic Vein? Is it toxic?” Vivienne inquired.

It took a moment for Finnian to catch on, but then he remembered what Vivienne was referring to. “Oh, that Mystic Vein. Yeah, it's definitely toxic. It's like if you were digging up an ancient tomb, you'd be poisoned by the noxious air inside. That Mystic Vein’s an old family mine; how could it not be toxic?” Vivienne's gaze hardened. By ‘toxic’, she meant the minerals produced by the Mystic Vein contained dangerous levels of lead and were mixed with various unknown substances that could accumulate in the body during the mining process.

But with proper protection, there should not be any issues.

The folks at Edwards Group were not fools; how could they overlook this? Vivienne kept her eyes fixed on Finnian, who, feeling the pressure, rubbed his face and continued, “The stuff from the Mystic Vein is indeed poisonous, and normal protection won't cut it. You need a special antidote to counteract it.” “What antidote?” Vivienne pressed.

Finnian reached into his pocket and placed a small porcelain bottle on the table. “This one.”