The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

“Damn it!” Leopold was floored for a solid half-hour when he saw the personnel appointment circulate with the new appointments.

Just the other day, he was consoling Soren, warning him to watch his back with the new Director sniffing around for scapegoats. And now, it turned out he was the one who would be dancing to the Director's tune! The joke was on him, and he was the last to know.

Anna clapped Leopold on the shoulder, a look of sympathy in her eyes. “Captain, looks like I'll be counting on you from here on out .” Soren walked over, tucking the insignia of the third squad into his desk drawer, but his words were for Anna.

“Don’t jump the gun calling him ‘Captain’ just yet. We're all drawing lots again to decide who ends up in which team.” Anna blinked in disbelief. She could not fathom landing in Soren’s team in this fifty-fifty toss-up! The whole organization was reshuffling. Anna pulled her lot. When she saw the number “1” glaring back at her, it felt like the sky was crashing down.

Soren glanced over and patted Anna on the shoulder, “Anna, looks like I'll be counting on you from here on out.” “Counting on my foot! More like a curse!” Anna screamed inside.

She raked her fingers through her hair, her real worry was not about who would be the captain.

It was whether she would still be tasked with her original assignment amid this grand reshuffle at the Vanguard Agency.

As it turned out, Anna’s concerns were not unfounded. a “Effective immediately, Squad One is on lockdown. All assignments are on hold, and no one leaves without authorization,” Vance announced at the morning briefing.

As a member of Squad One, Anna was naturally confined within the Vanguard Agency, ready for orders.

After the meeting, Percival retreated to his office.

He looked over the new squad arrangements and frowned slightly.

What was Vance plotting with such a grandiose reshuffling within the Vanguard Agency? Squad One was now under Vance'’s direct command, supposedly because the Chief Commander, Thomas, was out of town.

Soren and Leopold cin, and Leopold spoke up, “Percival, this reshuffle is one thing, but having Squad One report directly to the Director? Doesn't that seem off to you?” Percival leaned back. “Has the Director sought you out yet?” “No, why would he? To apologize?” Leopold grumbled.

Being stripped of authority so abruptly would sit well with no one.

He never cared about power. In fact, he only entered the Vanguard Agency to follow Percival. However, there was no way he would not be frustrated from being targeted.

It was no secret that Leopold was Percival’s man, and the Sterling and the Ellington families had been allies for generations. This seemed like a blatant attempt to undermine Percival, maybe even to sideline him.

“Wait till he does. You'll find out soon enough,” Percival said, offering no further explanation.

Vance had mentioned a secret mission for Leopold the day before. Without the details, Percival could say no more.

Soren could not contain himself either. “With Squad One answering directly to the Director, isn’t that a power grab? When the special squad was formed, it was under the Chief's sole command. Since when does the Director get to butt in?” Everyone saw Vance’s agenda: to dilute Percival’s power and render him a figurehead.

If this was day one, what would the future hold? They were discussing this when Percival’s office phone rang with the distinct ringtone of the Director's office.

Percival gestured for silence and picked up the receiver.

“Percival, cto my office. I've got a personal matter to discuss with you.” Vance calling it a personal matter was unexpected. Percival straightened his suit before heading to the Director's office.

“What's up?” Percival asked upon arrival.

Vance handed over two invitations embossed with the Brooks family crest. “My wife would like you and Ms.

Hawthorn to join us for dinner tonight. She tried calling Ms. Hawthorn but couldn't get through, so she askedto deliver these to you.” This surprised Percival.

He examined the invitations; indeed, they were from the Brooks family for a family dinner. The formality was ostensibly to celebrate Vance’s return.

Vance had been undercover for years, and to the Brooks and the Edwards families, he was just a man doing business abroad. His role as head of the Edwards family was a perfect cover.

His return was a cause for celebration for the Brooks family, especially after the myriad of events that had befallen them. They hoped to ride the wave of good fortune to attract more business opportunities.

The dinner would host many of Rivenwood'’s elite, all connected to the Brooks family in sway.

Given the implications for the Brooks family and Vivienne, Percival did not commit immediately but did not decline either. He took the invitations and said, “I'll ask Vivienne. If she agrees, we'll attend the dinner tonight.” “Great, | appreciate it. I'm also eager to meet this legendary niece who's got our Deputy so obsessed,” Vance said, his tone carrying a hint of jest.

Percival offered a token smile and left.

Vance moved to the window, watching Percival’s car pull away, the smile on his face slowly tightening, then vanishing.

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Vivienne sat at home, eyeing a strawberry shortcake on the table.

It was a mess. The strawberries were askew, and the whipped cream was unevenly spread, an obvious sign that Percival had not made it.

Vivienne was certain she had been the only one at hthe previous night. Dorian and Cordelia were away on business trips, their little Thaddeus was at a summer day camp, and Anna was tied up with a Vanguard Agency project that would not let up.

If the cake was not from Percival, then who could it be? A sudden memory flashed through Vivienne’s mind. The previous night, amid her slumber, she had felt an overpowering and eerily familiar presence. She had tried to open her eyes, only to find she could not. When morning came, she had dismissed it as a dream.

But now, confronted with the strawberry shortcake, she was not so sure.

Usually, Vivienne would snap awake at the slightest oddity during the night, ready to confront any intruder. But last night had been different; she felt caught in a loop, unable to break free, reminiscent of the sensation of sleep paralysis.

Her bright eyes narrowed, a storm of anger brewing in their depths.

Who could it be? A knock sounded at the door, and Vivienne called out, “It's open!” Percival stepped in, holding a strawberry shortcake he had just picked up from the bakery on the way.

“Did you buy this yourself?” Percival asked, a hint of jealousy in his voice. After all, he was the one who always brought her the strawberry cakes.

How could Vivienne fetch it herself? What kind of boyfriend would that make him? But as he got closer, he realized the cake before them was a sorry sight.

“Where did you get this?” He asked, sitting beside her, his voice turning serious.

Vivienne shook her head. “I don’t know. It was here when | woke up.” The cake sat between them like a mystery.