The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

At the headquarters of Rivenwood Vanguard Agency.

Percival nudged open the door to the director's office. “You wanted to see me, Vance?” Vance gestured towards the chair across from his desk. “Take a seat, Percival.” Percival squinted slightly before complying, settling into the chair facing Vance.

“What's Vivienne been up to lately?” Vance casually flipped through the documents on his desk as he inquired.

Percival lifted his gaze, his tone airy. “Vance, should | be concerned that you're taking an interest in my fiancée?” Vance shot him a look, chuckling. “No need for that. My romance is quite blissful.” The joke did little to amuse Percival, who mainly remained expressionless.

Vance snapped the folder shut and looked up. “Can you ask Vivienne to swing by HQ? I’ve got a rather pressing matter, and I'd like to discuss a potential partnership with her.” Percival’s eyes flickered. “What kind of partnership?” Vance’s smile persisted, “That's something | don’t think | need to share with you.” His stance was clear: even though Percival was Vivienne’s betrothed, Vance preferred to approach her directly with this matter.

Percival’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Alright then.” With that, Percival stood and left.

Vance watched him go, the smile slowly fading from his face.

Back in his own office, Percival dialed Vivienne.

“Vivienne, he’s looking to collaborate. Didn't say on wnaB Vivienne’s laughter filtered through, “Vance loves his mysteries, but what's the point? It'll cout eventually.” Percival’s smile broadened. “This seems different from the last time. Want to cover?” “Sure, I'm on my way. I've got a few questions for him myself, like where on earth he’s sent Leopold.” “Great, I'll pick you up.” Suddenly, the roar of a motorbike cthrough the phone, and Percival paused, “You're here?” A hint of regret in her voice, Vivienne responded, “Yep, just outside. Cto pick you up after work, but it looks like you're in for sovertime.” Percival chuckled warmly as he stepped out to greet her.

The remaining staff at Vanguard Agency watched in awe.

What had gotten into the deputy director? Man, seeing the deputy director smile is like seeing a ghost! Only Anna glanced up quietly before looking away indifferently.

‘Percival only looked like this for one reason. These colleagues of mine, so sheltered,” She thought.

Amid the stunned looks, Percival took Vivienne’s hand, and they headed to the director's office.

“Cin,” Vance called out upon hearing the knock.

He looked up, surprised to see Percival return so soon with Vivienne in tow.

“That was quick. You're too modest, Percival,” Vance said with a smile, standing to usher them to the couch.

Vivienne sat across from Vance, her smile enigmatic. “When Mr. Edwards summons, | make it quick.” “There's no one else here. Just callUncle,” Vance offered as he poured them tea.

Vivienne took the cup, inhaling the aroma, “Lovely coffee. You must have something complex in mind for such hospitality, Mr. Edwards.” Vance raised his eyebrows at her persistent formality, “Yes, the collaboration | have in mind is crucial.” He paused before continuing, “You're behind the famous Frostfire Intelligence Agency, aren't you?” Vivienne did not deny it. After all, as the director of Sea City Vanguard Agency, it was no surprise Vance knew this.

“That's right. Whatever you need to know, Mr. Edwards, the right price will get you the information.” Vance let out a laugh. “I need to dig into a cold case. Nyour price.” Vivienne was stunned for a moment. A cold case? She looked up and smiled. “A case that even Vanguard Agency can’t crack?” Vance stood and walked to a locked cabinet, retrieving an old, worn file.

“Vanguard Agency protects national security. We can’t dig into everything. And this case involves an ancient warrior lineage. Take a look.” The mention of the ancient lineage caused a flicker in Vivienne's eyes.

She opened the file, and the title alone weighed heavily upon her.

[Case 0404: The Sheldon Family Disappearance] The Sheldons, her mentor’s family! She scanned the scarce information, which listed members of the Sheldon family and sbasic details.

At the bottom, highlighted in red, was a single name: Ulysses, age twenty, male.

Beyond that, nothing.

Ulysses was Finnian, her mentor.

“Are you askingto follow up on this cold case, or are you asking about Ulysses in particular?” Vivienne set the file down, her bright eyes searching Vance’s, revealing nothing of her thoughts.

Vance’s smile returned. “You're sharp as ever. Indeed, it’s Ulysses | want you to investigate.” Vivienne slouched against the couch, her gaze growing heavy and skeptical. “Someone who's been missing for seventy years might as well be dead. What's there to investigate?” “You're not in the loop, Vivienne. The Sheldons, part of an ancient line of warriors, were rumored to have mastered the art of longevity.” This was news to Vivienne.

Since when did Finnian, the fortune-teller, dabble in the art of longevity? Yet, considering Finnian was pushing ninety and still as spry as a middle-aged man, the notion did not seem too far-fetched.

“Vance, we rely on science,” Vivienne said, eyeing Vance as if he was spinning a fairy tale.

Deep down, though, she knew Vance was not entirely full of it.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

The so-called longevity was not about living a thousand years unscathed but stretching one’s years through elixirs and such. True eternal youth, though, was out of the question! There were not any miracle drugs capable of such a feat.

Ulysses, too, aged with time, albeit more gracefully than his peers, thanks to his fighting arts regimen, thus the whispers of everlasting life.

Ulysses had always said life was a roll of the dice; speople are blessed with long years, but death comes for everyone.

Many have lived a century, sure, but two hundred years? Unheard of.

Vivienne, a medic by training, knew better. Organs wear out with time, functions cease, and death inevitably follows.

The cycle of birth, aging, illness, and death was fundamental.

No one could live for two centuries.

Yet now, considering the secret techniques of the ancient warrior lineage, maybe hitting two hundred was not entirely impossible. Ulysses was a prexample.

But it was likely limited to those in the warrior lineage. Nonetheless, true immortality remained impossible even for them.