Vance exhaled slowly. "Vivienne, you two should know that in the annals of ancient warrior lineages, there are some secrets. Nothing is impossible. The world is always full of things that turn our understanding on its head. It's not unscientific; it's just beyond the current reach of human knowledge."
Listening to Vance's sermon, Vivienne could not help but chuckle.
What was the point of stating common knowledge?
What was Vance really after?
Why would the head of Vanguard Agency be delving into the secrets of ancient warrior lineages?
"If you want to collaborate with me, show me you mean business," Vivienne said, leaning back in her chair with an amused expression as she watched Vance.
Vance folded his arms, his fists clenched with a hint of nervousness. After a moment of thought, he decided to lay all his cards on the table.
"There is... a connection between me and the ancient warrior lineage," Vance confessed, locking eyes with Vivienne. "It's like when the Perez family married with the Lynette family. A member of the Edwards family, who happened to be my auntie, married into an ancient warrior lineage, which has a tie to the Sheldon family massacre that cannot be ignored."
Vance continued, "After the Sheldons disappeared, the Edwards family got a slice of luck, which paved the way for their current stature. But my family has never had peace; it is always plagued by disturbances. I believe it has a lot to do with Ulysses."
"Isn't Ulysses missing? How is he involved?" Vivienne inquired.
"The truth is, Ulysses was not home when the Sheldon family met their fate. His trace was never found, hence the assumption of his disappearance. I've approached Frostfire Intelligence Agency to investigate Ulysses' whereabouts. I don't believe he's dead."
Vivienne's gaze sharpened with a dangerous glint, "Vance, this is a personal request, not from Vanguard Agency, right?"
Vance nodded. "Yes, this is my personal matter. The cost is no object; the reward will be substantial if you find him."
Vivienne eyed Vance intently, then said, "Alright, I'll take it."
After leaving Vanguard Agency, Percival glanced at Vivienne, "Don't you suspect Vance was the one behind the pursuit of Finnian?"
Finnian had been dodging the ancient warrior lineage for years. With Vance's high rank within Vanguard Agency, it would be easy to locate someone, especially with his ties to the lineage.
It was entirely possible that Vance had ordered the hit on Finnian.
Vivienne nodded. "Of course, I suspect. But I also suspect Vance has other motives."
Percival grunted. "Indeed, he's up to something else."
Finnian's only friend was Vivienne's mother, Karen!
The connections were hard to ignore.
Finnian had been 'dead' for years. Why was Vance suddenly keen on finding him? And he had approached Vivienne, too. The series of strange behaviors was undoubtedly suspicious.
Percival steered the car, "You've got a point. Where to next? Fancy some barbecue?"
There was a new grill house in town with rave reviews, and Percival had been itching to take Vivienne there.
Vivienne pulled out her phone and dialed Finnian's number, "Finnian, how about barbecue on me? You coming?"
Finnian would surely show up.
His favorite dish was brisket!
Percival's lips curved into a slight smile; Vivienne was setting another trap for Finnian.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Million-Dollar Heart