The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne scoffed with a smirk. “Pray tell, Vance, what national treasure has been harmed by the rogue android? Who's been injured? Or was there a threat to someone's life?” Vance cleared his throat. “No national assets were damaged, no one was injured, and there wasn’t any life- threatening situation, but...” “The only one hurt here is my Mr. Wolf, who's still got a bloody nose! All because he jumped in to save that runaway motorcycle. Instead of a pat on the back, you're thinking of punishment?” Listening to Vivienne's clever, if slightly twisted, logic, Vance sighed heavily. “It was his duty, a remedy for the mess your company made!” Vivienne nodded in agreement. “We've made amends, and quite successfully at that. Repaired roads, hospitals, schools, and the like, all out of our own pocket. We've more than made up for it, wouldn't you say, Vance?” Vivienne’s retort left Vance speechless. She sort of had a point.

Vance took a sip of water. “Alright, you can go.” Vivienne snatched a few more candy bars from the dish. “Catch you later, Mr. Vance Edwards!” Vance couldn’t help but chuckle “Hold on, when's your mom waking up?” “Not sure yet. When she does, I'll be sure to tell her you were asking about her,” Vivienne said, waving her hand as she walked out of the director's office.

Vance shook his head in resignation as Webster's call cthrough again.

“Director, the guy got hurt and even shelled out the cash; what more do you want? Percival’s nose is still bleeding! His face is insured for more than movie star Stephen Harris. If we get nitpicky, we can’t afford the payout!” “Fine, you guys do what you want with that mess!” Vivienne walked out of Vanguard Agency to find William, Zachary, and Ronald still in the midst of routine inquiries. It seemed it would take a while.

Vivienne had sdisciples from the Nine Mystics Society stand guard at the door, ready to escort people out when they were done.

Afterward, she drove to the hospital.

Inside, Percival was getting patched up.

Leopold leaned in, “So your nose really got busted saving that motorbike?” Percival shot him a sideways glance. “You got a problem with that?” Leopold quickly waved his hands. “No, no, just... Haha.” Good lord, this was Percival, the sguy who had once spent days in a mine without a scratch, and now a motorcycle had taken him down? Percival ignored him, looking at the bandage on his nose in the mirror, heaving a sigh.

How cVivienne's skull had to be so hard? Just then, Vivienne burst in, arms laden with a feast fit for kings. “Mr. Wolf, dinner is served.” At the sound of Vivienne’s voice, Percival instantly ripped off the bandage from his nose.

Bleeding or not, looking good for his lady was paramount! Leopold was cracking up on the side. Since when did Percival becso vain? He absolutely had to spread this tale throughout the Vanguard Agency—Percival might have left, but his legend would live on! But... Leopold felt he seemed to have forgotten something important.

Suddenly, he stood up, shouting, “You two sneaks! Getting married without a peep, disappearing without a trace.

Do you have any idea how many people are going crazy?” He had been trying to reach Percival and Vivienne since morning to no avail. Then the android incident happened, and it slipped his mind.

Those heartless two — they had gone off to enjoy their bliss, oblivious to the frenzy they had left behind in the Perez, Ellington, and Brooks families, not to mention the disciples of the Emerald Monastery.

Not just Percival’s phone was blowing up — so was his. Everyone thought he knew where Percival and Vivienne were. But damn... he had not the faintest idea! The calmest person was Thomas, who took the news of the nuptials as expected and even had the audacity to say something infuriating. “If it were me, I'd have whisked my love away to get hitched ages ago. Percival’s too slow.” After Thomas said that, he got a good thrashing from his Vanguard Agency teammates! Meanwhile, Percival and Vivienne acted as if it was just another day.

Percival glanced at Leopold. “You went crazy, too?” Leopold retorted, “Do you hear yourself?” “Am | deaf?” Leopold was speechless.

Great.

He couldn't deal with someone who could insult even himself.

Vivienne sat across from Percival, frowning as she saw him remove the bandage. Then, she pulled out another one from her pocket and stuck it on his nose — this one adorned with a cartoon character.

“Your nose hasn't healed yet. Who said you could take off the bandage?” Percival didn’t protest, nor did he see the cartoon on the bandage, as he took the feast from Vivienne’s hands.

Unbeknownst to him, the image of his nose bandaged with a cartoon character's behind was already circulating on Facebook, thanks to Leopold.

“How are things at the Vanguard Agency?” Vivienne munched on a candy bar, lounging on the sofa, “Found out what that sneaky mole looks like.” Percival offered a wry smile. “They could never escape their fate.” Vivienne shrugged, a dark glint crossing her elegant face. “My bad, got careless.” Percival ruffled her hair gently. “No worries, let him gloat for a while.” Vivienne nodded with determination. “Yeah, | want to see what other aces he’s got up his sleeve.” Beside her, Leopold was as lost as a ball in high weeds, clueless about what they were discussing, his mind swarming with question marks.

Catching his bewildered look, Vivienne nudged him with her foot. “Hey, give Larry a call, will ya? Check if he’s met up with the guy.” Leopold hurriedly slurped down a few more spoonfuls of his spaghetti, recalling the task Vivienne had assigned to Larry, before whipping out his phone to dial Larry’s number.

But the ringtone droned on endlessly with no answer.

“That son of a gun, dodging my calls!” Leopold cursed under his breath. “When | get my hands on him, | swear I'll tan his hide!”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Vivienne arched an eyebrow, a smirk dancing on her lips. “You talk tough like that to his face, and I'll give you a medal.” Leopold clammed up at that, redialing without success. “Vivienne, he’s ghosting me. Maybe he'll pick up if you call?” Vivienne pulled out her own cell and dialed, but just like before, there was no answer.

Both Vivienne and Leopold’s expressions soured at this development. Vivienne tried again, only to be met with the ssilent treatment.

Leopold, on edge, pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the twinge in his bad knee. “What's going on? He's not even picking up for you!” In their circle, skipping out on a call from Finnian might fly now and then, but ignoring Vivienne? That was a cardinal sin.

Their phones were tweaked by Vivienne herself, designed to catch a signal in the back of beyond, ensuring they could always be reached.

There was only one reason they would be hitting a wall with call after call like this.

Something had happened to Larry.