The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Hector took a deep breath and kept his voice steady. “Let's not jump to conclusions before we get to the bottom of this, Dracon. What's the word from the doctors?” Dracon pinched the bridge of his nose, the worry lines on his forehead deepening. “They're playing it by ear with the treatment. No idea when Dad might cout of it. The house is in chaos, and I'm at a loss here.” “You've always been the one steering the ship at home. I'll hold down the fort here at the hospital; you head back and sort things out. Keep Dad's condition under wraps, okay? We don’t want to spook the shareholders or the folks at Vanguard Agency. And get a couple more guys to watch over this place. I've got a bad feeling there might be more trouble brewing.” Hector orchestrated the plans with the finesse of an elder brother despite the fact that he wasn’t.

Dracon nodded, silently taking in Hector’s instructions before heading out to do as he said.

Micah, who had been listening in, couldn’t help but vent to Vance, “Compared to Hector, Dracon’s a piece of trash.” Vance shot Micah a look that could quell any further comments. “You always this chatty?” Micah choked on his words. No matter how long they had worked together, he and Vance just didn’t click.

After Dracon had left, Hector cover to introduce himself. “Vance, Micah, right? I'm Hector.” “Mr. Linklater, it's an honor,” Vance replied, shaking Hector’s hand firmly.

“Vanguard Agency will leave no stone unturned in investigating what happened to Yorick. There will be no cover- ups, rest assured.” Hector adjusted his glasses, a smile devoid of warmth tugging at his lips. “Vance, don’t just fixate on Percival as the prsuspect. He has no motive to harm my father. I've heard of his reputation; my father has praised him. | suspect there's more to this story. If you need my help, just say the word.” Vance felt a glimmer of relief upon hearing this. Finally, someone talking sense.

“We'll take your suggestion to heart, Mr. Linklater. We've got business back at the agency, so we'll be off. If there's any news about Yorick, please keep us informed.” After exchanging goodbyes, Vance and Micah made to leave.

But Hector stopped Micah. “Micah, do you happen to know where Karen is?” Micah was taken aback, eyeing Hector as if he were up to no good. “What do you want with our boss?” Even Vance was surprised. How did Hector know Karen? Hector’s laugh was light. “My father has mentioned her before. | was hoping to meet her.” “She’s not available right now,” Micah replied, his gaze narrowing imperceptibly.

Something about Hector didn’t sit right with him.

Hector nodded slightly. “Understood. Thank you, anyhow.” Without further ado, Micah left, leaning on his cane.

Once outside, Vance couldn't hold back his curiosity, “Is Lark acquainted with Hector? Were they...” Micah cut him off with irritation. “What's with the questions?” Vance fell silent, awkwardly closing his mouth.

Thomas, who had been driving in silence, didn’t chin. The two directors bickered like this all the time, nothing new there.

Meanwhile, Thomas sent a coded message to Vivienne.

[They're in my car.] Receiving the message, Vivienne was already on her way to the Vanguard Agency’s detention center with a team in tow.

The guard on duty was Caspian, who looked at Vivienne with trepidation.

“Madam, Percival’s not going to suffer in there. Could you please head back for now? He'll be released once the investigation’s done. Please!” Vivienne’s expression was icy as she stood her ground. “I need to see him myself.” Caspian looked like he was about to kneel and beg. “Madam, it’s really not possible right now. The case Percival is involved in is big. If you barge in, it'll only get bigger!” “I can’t worry about that!” Vivienne was never impulsive, but a text message she received before Thomas's call had simply read, [Flynn.] Just one word, sender unknown. She hadn't given it much thought initially, but when news of Percival’s trouble reached her, she connected the dots.

While Percival wouldn't be mistreated in custody, Vivienne knew that if he remained locked up, chaos would ensue outside.

And clearly, this was a targeted attack. Someone was using Percival to get to Flynn.

“Madam, | promise not even a hair on Percival’s head will be harmed. Please, turn around!” Caspian was on the verge of tears.

“Someone, help! Helpto persuade Madam!” He yelled inwardly.

But no one could help him.

Vivienne raised her hand, and numerous guns and weapons were aimed at the secret detention center holding Percival.

Even Caspian had several red dots trained on him.

“I don’t want to make this difficult for you. Step aside,” Vivienne said, gesturing to Caspian.

Caspian, resigned yet unable to draw his weapon, stood his ground. “Madam, | have my duty. | cannot let you pass.” Vivienne nodded. “Alright, then, don’t blme for this.” As she was about to launch a tranquilizer needle, a deep and authoritative voice called out from behind.

“Vivienne!” Everyone turned to see Jasper striding towards them.

Caspian knew Jasper well and breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, maybe he could convince Vivienne to leave.

Jasper shuffled over, leaning heavily on the arms of his four strapping sons, and took up a position just behind Vivienne. His gaze was affectionate yet tinged with exasperation.

“Vivienne, how many times have | told you not to be so hotheaded? A young lady ought to have a gentle touch, don’t you think?”

Just yesterday, the news that Percival had whisked Vivienne away to get married had nearly given Jasper a heart attack . The whole Perez family had mobilized, scouring the city for the runaway couple, and they had even made a tense visit to the Ellington Mansion.

Thanks to Richard's silver tongue, Jasper had cooled his jets a bit.

Then, both families tried to reach the impulsive lovebirds intending to throw them a proper celebration. But after a night of trying, they hadn't managed to connect—only to find out about this massive mess. Upon hearing the news, Jasper couldn’t be bothered by the fact that Percival had whisked away his granddaughter. He rushed over immediately.

With the marriage license signed, Percival was officially his grandson-in-law-And If his grandson in law was in trouble, there was no way Jasper could just sit back and do nothing. Caspian and the whole crew from Vanguard Agency nodded in vigorous agreement. “Absolutely, Jasper, you couldn't be more right. Let's get Madam out of here posthaste! That's when they heard Jasper say, “Look here, we've got the keys, so let's pack up this whole circus—mortars and all!” The operatives from Vanguard Agency nearly choked on their own tongues.

Turned out Jasper had brought the keys to help Vivienne break Percival out of jail!