The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the bustling heart of the city, the revered Vanguard Agency, spearheaded by the esteemed Martinez family, initiated a thorough housecleaning operation.

Vintage cases, syellowed with the patina of age, were dusted off and brought into the unforgiving light of scrutiny.

The notorious GTO, Vanguard's arch-nemesis, had a laundry list of files that demanded an exhaustive purge.

Vance was dispatched to the sprawling metropolis of Sea City for advanced training while Micah, armed with Rivenwood'’s finest, dived into the backlog of cases.

From the headquarters, a specialized task force was deployed to sift through Rivenwood’s archives, each folder a Pandora's box of secrets.

This was not the first rodeo for the seasoned agents of Vanguard; they viewed the entire affair with a sense of déja vu.

The newly minted Captain Thomas found himself adrift without the Director, shadowing the Deputy Director as a trusty sidekick to the temporary helmsman.

As the task force combed through the cases, they hit a roadblock with a recent explosion case, their expressions clouding with intrigue.

“Captain Thomas, are you absolutely certain these were the only people at the scene?” cthe probing question.

Thomas nodded firmly. “I'm positive. Aside from our agents, only Percival and Vivienne were present. No one else.” “And what about this woman?” The task force brandished a grainy photograph where an extra figure was unmistakably present at the crscene.

“I'haven’t the foggiest,” Thomas retorted with the JE of a mule.

Such defiance only served to irk the task force, leading to the detainment of Thomas and the two squad leaders for further inquiry. This sent ripples of unease throughout the rank and file of Vanguard Agency.

Micah, now a lone commander, faced a conundrum with the Martinez family’s latest bomb detection technology gathering dust, unfiled. With no recourse, he reached out to headquarters.

Rivenwood and Sea City were caught in the whirlwind of this operation, and before long, the detectors found their way to Noah’s domain.

“Master, I'm in a bind here,” Micah pleaded over the phone, “Vance is still being grilled by the brass, and if these detectors aren’t dispatched pronto, we'll be in a whole new world of hurt.” Noah's chuckle was warm. “You two are still at it after all these years. Worry not, I'll make sure Rivenwood gets its gear.” “Cheers. Next tI'm in Sea City, drinks are on me.” The call ended, and Micah’s smile froze mid-curve.

“Master, when we next meet, | hope we can still share a drink.” Noah, eyeing the stack of detectors, surreptitiously amended the count from three hundred to two hundred, signing off with a flourish.

Meanwhile, Quincy received a cryptic buzz from F-Poison to rendezvous in Sea City for a new arms consignment destined for a clandestine weapons lab.

Three days later, Vance returned from Sea City, his phone ringing the moment he touched down.

“Vance, | hear you've been digging through the archives, dusting off an old human trafficking case,” Noah's voice cthrough clearly.

Vance replied with a grin, “Indeed, Master. | wanted to show the rookies how we uncovered GTO'’s trail and share sof your legendary tales so they know the giant they stand on.” “At my age, I've no need for flattery. What's got you so nostalgic?” Noah inquired.

Vance chuckled. “Had a spat with Micah, gotthinking. Found a photo, too. Hard to believe it’s still around after all these years.” A pause hung in the air. “What photo?” “The one with you and the twelve kids. I'm thinking of tracking them down, see if they remember anything.” “Where's the photo?” Noah's tone grew somber.

He remembered that photo well, the one he thought he'd destroyed. How could it still exist? Vance tightened his grip on the phone as he kept his voice calm. “With me, Master. Everything alright?” Noah feigned ease. “Odd, | thought that photo was lost in the archive fire.” “Oh, about that. | wanted to find out more, so | contacted the security guard back then. He said when you were taking the photo, he was astonished by your heroic aura and took one, too. Frankly, I'm quite surprised your wife's in there too. Should | send it to you?” “Okay, send it over.” Noah hung up the call anxiously.

Soon after, Vance forwarded the photo with a message attached: [I've got people reaching out to the survivors.

Joinat the agency’s reunion in two days?] Noah stared at the screen, the past staring back at him.

He had to think fast. If details emerged, if those children, now adults, remembered anything, the ten becoming to twelve would be exposed.

It was now too late to kill all ten of them. It was way too suspicious to kill everyone related to that accident.

At this time, he took out a phone he had barely ever used except to contact F-Poison and called her.

F-Poison’s gruff voice broke through on a secure line, “What's wrong?” Noah laid it all out. “I need to go back to the organization, Boss. Something's off.” F-Poison chastised him, “You should've killed them all long ago. Now you're panicking?” “I had no choice then, but things are heating up. Vance is onto something. I'm not of much use in Vanguard Agency now anyway, so just letleave the agency.” A moment of silence, then, F-Poison said, “Fine. We'll meet at dawn at the old spot.” Hanging up the phone, a glint of lethal intent flashed in F-Poison’s eyes.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror, at the face that seemed like a painting. Clenching her fists tightly, she pulled a smartphone from the drawer.

There was only one number saved. She dialed it.

“Hey, it's me.” On the day Vance hosted the so-called “Reunion,” no one could get in touch with the distant hero and mentor, Noah.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

At that moment, Noah, with all his savings, dressed in casual clothes, drove to the seaside.

This was the spot where Karen had once brought Percival, Leopold, and others for a camping trip.

It was also here that Noah had celebrated with Karen, Micah, Vance, and others as they joined the ranks of the Vanguard Agency.

It was here that Noah told his protégés, “The Vanguard Agency is like the sea: beneath its calm surface, there are hidden dangers. One misstep and you could be swallowed whole.” That saying, like this place, was passed down through generations.

Now, standing here once more, Noah could only scoff at the irony.

Who would have guessed that he would becthe hidden danger beneath the seemingly tranquil sea? “Rover.” Hearing someone call his code name, Noah turned around and was surprised to see a teenage girl.

His eyes sharpened as he recognized her, “You must be Quincy. Boss mentioned you.” Quincy smiled. “That's me. I've heard rumors about a mole within the Vanguard Agency. Never thought I'd actually meet the legend ‘Rover.’ Boss sentto escort you.” Noah returned the smile. “Rover. After all these years, I've truly been like a rover, wandering the outskirts. But today, it seems my journey has cto an end.”