The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vance and Micah had turned the place upside down but found no trace of anyone.

Noah had dropped dead as if life had abruptly cto an end.

“Karen, have you ever seen anything like this?” Vance inquired.

Karen shook her head. “It’s not poison, not a concealed weapon, not a heart attack... I've never heard of such a death!” “What in the world is going on?” Micah was equally baffled.

Just then, Karen received a call from Vivienne.

“Mom, F-Poison escaped!” An hour earlier, Vivienne had led a team from the Nine Mystics Society to F-Poison’s hideout, sprinkling the area with a potent toxin to make sure not even a fly could escape.

But when they surrounded F-Poison’s lair, they found it empty.

Aside from a collection of masks and a variety of clothing and bags, there was no clue about F-Poison’s whereabouts.

Unlike before, F-Poison had left in such a hurry that she had not even had tto cover her tracks properly.

It was like when Vivienne had tracked down a new bomb prototype, and GTO had hurriedly left a model behind.

Vivienne took a deep breath. “Someone tipped her off!” At the border town between Sea City and Rivenwood, F-Poison, dressed in a pure white dress and wearing Gillian’s face with delicate makeup, strolled along a flowy path.

A man in a sleek suit followed her, his expression solemn.

“Thanks for savingthis time,” F-Poison said, turning around with a bright smile, like a girl in love, innocent and endearing.

The man remained unmoved, his eyes even flashing with disdain.

“You were foolish!” F-Poison did not panic in the face of the man’s anger. She casually picked a flower, sniffed it, and then tucked it into her hair. “Don’t worry, Noah won't spill anything. If | want them dead, they won't live. Otherwise, why do you think I'd let them operate alone? By the way, | owe it all to you, or | wouldn't have been able to develop such an effective thing.” “This is our family’s secret technique. If you're interested, after you develop what | want, | might let you have a taste.” F-Poison waved her hand dismissively. “No thanks, I'm not interested in your ancient warrior lineage stuff.” Changing the subject, F-Poison asked, “Does this flower look good on me?” The man halted, seemingly irritated with F-Poison’s girlish antics.

“Be careful from now on. | won't be in touch with you for a long time.” With that, he turned and walked away, his retreating figure casting a dark shadow.

F-Poison pouted, took the flower from her hair, crushed it in her hand, and muttered, “Other than being so unromantic, he’s much better compared to others. After all, he understandsmore than anyone. It's a pity; it will be a long tbefore | see him again.” She threw the crushed flower on the ground and stamped it into the dirt.

After F-Poison’s disappearance, the Vanguard Agency underwent a massive shake-up.

No one could have predicted that Noah, long revered as a hero of the Vanguard Agency, was actually a mole for GTO! This revelation sent shock waves through the upper ranks of the Vanguard Agency and the ancient warrior lineage, leading to a thorough purge.

Those who had been close to Noah were scrutinized one by one to ensure they had no ties to GTO before being released.

Vance and Micah were among the first to be investigated, even though they had personally apprehended Noah.

After all, they were his closest protégés, and they might be sacrificing their mentor to save themselves.

The interrogation process at the Vanguard Agency was rigorous and meticulous. Even the youngest and strongest agents would be worn down to the bone.

After ten grueling days of questioning, Vance and Micah were finally released, looking gaunt as if they had aged years.

Thomas, Leopold, Soren, and others were waiting outside. Seeing Micah emerge, they all rushed over.

“Deputy Director, are you alright?” “How could | be alright? They've tormentedto the brink!” “Let's get you home; the car's been warmed up.” They helped Micah into the car, but no one seemed to notice Vance trailing behind.

Vance did not expect much sympathy from the young agents; after all, he had never shown them much kindness.

He sighed and shuffled forward, his own car waiting.

Beep beep! Vance paused and looked back, surprised to see Darren Edwards! “Dad!” Darren rushed over, “I've cto take you home. Mom's waiting.” Vance had not expected his son to show up and asked in astonishment, “Who told you | was here?” “My boss! You know, Vivienne. She said...” Darren smacked his lips, “she said you're like a poor old man returning from a trip with no one to pick you up, so she gavethe day off to cget you.” Vance chuckled, knowing Vivienne was not the sentimental type; she must have had a reason for sending Darren.

Sure enough, as Darren started the car, Melissa called.

“Darren, did you pick up your dad? Drive over to the Perez Mansion; your Auntie Karen has returned.” Melissa's voice was a mix of excitement and nostalgia, with a hint of a sob.

Darren nodded and drove to the Perez Mansion.

Vance, now changed and refreshed, stepped out of the car with Darren to be greeted warmly.

The courtyard of the Perez Mansion was bustling with people as Karen and Vivienne stood by Jasper’s side.

Melissa was just a step away, her eyes tinged with red.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Spotted by Melissa as Vance and Darren entered, she quickly ushered them over. “Karen, this is Vance. I've been meaning to introduce you two, but the opportunity never came. Finally, you get to meet him today.” The Brooks and the Edwards families were in the dark about Vance’s true identity. He had spent his days tending to business at the Edwards Group and his evenings at Vanguard Agency under the guise of social engagements.

Back when Karen had been undercover at the Brooks family, she had developed a good rapport with Melissa.

Whenever Melissa brought up Vance, Karen acted as if she did not recognize the name.

So, as far as Melissa knew, Karen and Vance had never met before.

“President Vance, it's a pleasure to finally see the man behind the myth,” Karen said, extending her hand. To an outsider, it was as if they were meeting for the first time.

Vance firmly shook her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Karen. I've heard a lot about you from Melissa. Welcback.” His ‘welcback’ carried a double meaning.

Karen chuckled inwardly, acknowledging the old rival's courtesy.

Despite the years, Karen still found herself at odds with sof Vance’s methods, but they remained comrades- in-arms.

That much was unchangeable.

“Karen, seeing you again means so much to me... There's been so much happening at home, and | didn’t know who to talk to. But now, it’s like a weight has lifted, knowing you've returned.”