The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The next day, Vivienne woke to find Percival already gone from her side.

After freshening up, she wandered into the kitchen to find Percival busy at work. Clad in an apron, he moved with a deliberate grace, preparing breakfast with the morning light casting a different kind of glow upon him.

Watching him, Vivienne felt a profound sense of peace.

Percival looked up to see her standing in the doorway. He walked over and playfully tapped her nose. “Just a bit longer. Breakfast is almost ready.” She smiled softly. “Okay.” Soon, the meal was ready. Considering Vivienne had overexerted herself the previous day, Percival had simmered a chicken soup. The chicken, bought fresh that morning by Thomas, was accompanied by two side dishes and a couple of eggs. Neither of them had a big appetite; the portions were just right for two.

After eating, Percival handed Vivienne a napkin and wiped his mouth with another. He looked at her seriously.

“Vivienne, | plan to start searching for your biological father.” Vivienne's fingers paused, and her eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment, she asked, “Why?” The concept of finding her father wasn’t new to her, but she had almost no information about him. Her mother had always avoided the truth, and now that she was comatose, Vivienne had even less hope of finding him. She had almost given up the idea; the word “father” was foreign to her.

Although Dorian Hawthorn had cherished her as his own daughter, it wasn’t the sas having a biological father. For Vivienne, it was enough that her mother was alive.

In truth, there was a twhen Vivienne resented her father. She couldn't understand how a man could leave a woman pregnant and not show his face for over twenty years. Although Karen had told her that her father was an incredible man, she felt he failed in his duties, never providing her with any fatherly love.

“Master said, for us to marry, your father must be ores. Percival took her hand earnestly.

“The license was a spur of the moment, but for the wedding, | want your father there.” Vivienne remained silent.

“Vivienne, initially | thought we could postpone the wedding date to discuss with both families, but after yesterday... | don’t want to wait. | want to organize our wedding as soon as possible.” After Percival and Vivienne got the marriage license, their two families discussed the date of the wedding.

However, since Karen had yet to wake, they agreed to hold the wedding two years later.

The Ellingtons had hoped for an earlier wedding, not considering it fair to Vivienne until the ceremony was held, despite the marriage license. The Perez family, while also eager for the wedding, were more concerned about Karen's condition.

Both Karen and Vivienne had to go through a lot of hardships to finally reunite with each other after so many years. If Karen woke up one day to find she had missed Vivienne’s wedding, she would certainly be in deep self- blame.

Thus, they decided to wait for Karen for two years. If she awoke within that time, the wedding would be heldBooks Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

immediately. If not, they wouldn't wait any longer. They did not want to delay Vivienne’s wedding indefinitely.

As for finding Vivienne's father, it was Percival’s strict adherence to Karen's words: her father must attend her wedding. But with scant information available, all he could do was try his best, knowing only Karen had the answers.

“Alright.” After breakfast, Vivienne and Percival parted ways. She headed to Frostfire Intelligence Agency's Rivenwood outpost to seek clues for her father, entrusting them with the search. Percival went to Vanguard Agency to deal with the aftermath of Samantha's escape and Francis’ death, as well as traitors within the agency. However, he wasn't planning to confront them himself.

That day, he carried an appointment letter naming Thomas as the new Deputy Director of the Rivenwood Vanguard Agency. Upon delivering the letter to Vance's office, he was about to leave when Vance stopped him.

“Did you know a big shot is visiting Vanguard Agency today?” Percival paused, “Who?” He wasn’t aware of this development, having been focused on F-Poison. But now that things were settling down, he could spare stfor the agency.

“That one,” Vance gestured upwards.

Percival’s usually impassive eyes brightened. “You mean, the War God?” In Veridia, there was a legend named Arthur, known as the War God, revered by the people.

Vance nodded. “This morning, he called personally, instructing everyone at Vanguard Agency to stay put and not to leave.” Vance glanced at Percival, clicking his tongue. “Seems like the calm before the storm.” Percival chuckled. “Vanguard Agency has been at ease for too long; a good storm might just clean it up.” Vance shot him a glare. “Don’t beat around the bush. | admit I'm not Mr. Clean, but when it comes to the Vanguard Agency, I'm all in, heart and soul.” Percival arched an eyebrow, silent.

He was actually itching to meet his hero. But today wasn’t the day.

With that thought, Percival stood up and said, “I gotta jet.”

You're not the least bit curious about what brings the War God here this time?" Vance couldn't help buit probe, noting Percival's nonchalant demeanor.

Percival smirked. “Whatever the War God's cooking up, he's got his reasons. You just play ball, and that's that. It's not like he’s gonna bring the » whole Vanguard Agency down.” Seeing Vance unmoved, he added, “Anyway, I'll announce Thomas’ promotion later.” With a grunt of acknowledgment, Percival turned on his heel and headed out.

No sooner had he stepped out of , .

Vance's office than a squad of fully-armed commandos burst in. Guns at the ready and with practiced precision, they corralled everyone at “ the Vanguard Agency. “Nobody ” .

moves.” Then, a figure in combat gear strode in- Arthur. Each step he took seemed to weigh on everyone's chest, his aura undeniably regal.

The warriors of the Vanguard Agency had faced countless battles, yet in Arthur's presence, they felt as insignificant as kittens.

Most of the Agency had never met Arthur. Even Vance and Micah had only caught glimpses of his silhouette from a distance.

Suddenly, a stern-faced man at Arthur's side commanded, “Cease all activities and hand over all communication devices for inspection.” At this command, the Vanguard Agency's members all froze.

They were used to being the ones conducting the inspections, so how had the tables turned so suddenly?