The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The helicopter descended slowly, and Percival leaped from the aircraft, for once not immediately rushing to Vivienne’s side but instead locking eyes with his mentor.

In an instant, the area was swarmed by the special squad agents of the Vanguard Agency.

F-Poison, bound by a robot, was being escorted to the helicopter.

She struggled briefly, her face devoid of emotion. “The family reunion over there. Have you really decided this is the end?” Percival instinctively shielded Vivienne and Karen behind him, eyes wary as he watched F-Poison.

F-Poison let out a mocking laugh, and the expressions on Karen and Vivienne’s faces changed in unison.

“Get down!” As their words rang out, explosions erupted around them, igniting a towering inferno! “Percival! Madam, Captain, are you alright?” Thomas's voice bellowed through the flames.

Percival was shielding Vivienne and Karen beneath him, his back already scorched by the fire. “Put out the fire first!” Thomas quickly organized a firefighting effort. Fortunately, they were on a mountaintop, and the wind was not strong; their prompt response prevented a wildfire.

Leopold arrived with the third squad, first helping the injured to safety before searching the crowd for Vivienne.

“Vivienne! Are you okay? You have to be okay! Otherwise, other disciples will have my head! Vivienne!” Vivienne was sitting nearby, irritated by Leopold's wailingey With a flick of her wrist, she chucked a stone at him. “Shut up already!” Leopold felt the stone hit his leg, and he scrambled toward the voice, relieved to find Vivienne with just ssuperficial cuts.

“Vivienne, you scaredto death! Thank goodness you're fine, or I'd never be able to face the master or our brothers!” Leopold lunged for a hug, but Percival kicked him aside.

Percival thought, “Dream on about hugging my Vivienne!” Vivienne muttered, “Thankfully, you kicked him away in time, or | would've had to make him sing soprano with a needle!” Leopold blinked, gazing at the woman before him, and rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

Karen watched Leopold, pinched his cheek, and scolded, “After all these years, you haven't changed a bit. You're just asking to be hit!” Leopold's voice broke, and then he howled.

“Oh, Captain! My dear, respected, and beautiful Captain! You're alive! This is amazing! Captain, you have no idea how this heartbreaker, Percival, has been bullyingover the years! Waabh, it's so good to have you back. I've finally got backup!” Thomas turned away, unable to watch Leopold's disgraceful display.

Soren, who had arrived much later than the others and did not know Karen, clenched his fists in secondhand embarrassment.

Anna was the first who could not stand it anymore and tossed Leopold out by the collar.

Then she stood before Karen, examining her closely.

Karen had seen Anna’s photo with her mother, Daphne, both in Vanguard Agency uniforms, their hair in neat ponytails, the agency's flag waving behind them.

Karen looked up at Anna and playfully tapped her nose.

“You must be Anna, right? I'm Karen, your mother’s friend.” Anna’s eyes welled up, feeling the touch on her nose, and tears fell as she choked up.

“Ms. Karen.” Karen held Anna’s hand, gently rubbing her fingers. “I named you, you know. If your mother could see how beautiful you've grown, she'd be so happy.” Daphne was Karen's most trusted lieutenant. They had survived death together and were forced to part ways.

Only when Daphne was in labor did Karen appear to deliver Anna, caring for her for three days before they had to separate again.

Tragically, by the tthey heard from each other again, it was too late.

Anna wiped her tears and saluted Karen. “Rivenwood Vanguard Agency headquarters, special squad third team member Anna reporting!” Karen smiled warmly, remembering Daphne's early days in the team and seeing such a resemblance in Anna.

“Alright, we'll catch up properly when we get back. Report to your Captain first,” Karen said, patting Anna's shoulder with tenderness.

Anna nodded and reported to Thomas. “Captain, the site has been surveyed. F-Poison is confirmed missing, and the remains at the scene are fake!” Thomas frowned, glancing involuntarily at Percival.

Percival, however, was completely absorbed in tending to Vivienne’s scraped fingers, the result of his haste to protect her.

Thomas pressed his lips to speak, but Percival was ahead of him.

“We shouldn't linger here. We'll be off now. No need to see us out.” Percival helped Vivienne to her feet.

“Oh, and Captain Thomas, we'll be taking this... this piece of trash with us,” He said as he pointed at Diana on the ground.

This address of “Captain Thomas” was Percival’s way of reminding Thomas that, from now on, he was the true head of the Vanguard Agency’s special squad.

Karen chuckled softly, leaning towards Thomas with a conspiratorial twinkle in her eye. “Cause of the explosion, body parts, escape route!”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Thomas had a moment of realization and said, “Right, thanks, Captain!” Percival frowned subtly, murmuring to Karen, “Master, aren't you babysitting them a bit too much?” With a swift motion, Karen smacked the back of Percival’s head. “You were no different when you started! Needed every bit of guidance | had to offer.” Percival found himself speechless, his arms wrapped around Vivienne as he helped Karen down the trail.

The rest of the team, including Thomas, watched in disbelief.

That was Percival’s head she had swatted - how many dared to lay a hand on his head? After a moment, Anna sighed heavily. “Mr. Ellington used to get a knuckle rap from his mentor as a kid and now from his wife. Never escaped the family discipline.” Thomas, Leopold, and Soren exchanged knowing looks.

Spot on! At the foot of the hill, Percival made sure Vivienne and Karen were comfortably seated in the car, taking his tto see to Diana, giving the mother and daughter soverdue privacy.

Vivienne sat there, glancing sideways at Karen, and for a fleeting moment, reality seemed to blur.

She could hardly believe it - her mother, absent for over a decade, was genuinely, tangibly here.

All the past resentments, the frustration of being teased, and the sense of being toyed with - all evaporated.

What remained was an overwhelming yearning for her mother! Karen spread her arms wide, a warm smile on her face as she beckoned to her precious daughter, “Frost, chere for a hug!”