The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 383

Gunshots echoed through the lab, but the Vanguard Agency was ready for anything. The GTO guards left behind were caught off-guard, especially since their boss had hightailed it out of there.

It was a spectacular defeat, like watching petals swept away by a swift stream.

Vivienne continued to monitor the screens, her fingers dancing over the keyboard with urgency, "The left passage is clear. Follow it."

She was analyzing the layout of the building, switching to real-time mode, and connecting to infrared imaging to track Scott's possible escape routes.

Although Percival had come prepared, they were short on hands, what with all the kids around.

Scott knew the place like the back of his hand; if he had planned an escape route in advance, he would be a tough one to catch.

Suddenly, Vivienne spotted a blinking light on the screen. "Mr. Wolf, watch out, there's a bomb!"

A loud explosion rocked the area 800 meters from the lab entrance.

The thermal imager fizzled out, and the screen became a flurry of scrambling red dots.

Vivienne cursed under her breath, slammed her laptop shut, and sprinted toward the blast site.

"Mr. Wolf! You oka..."

"Vivienne." Percival emerged from the ashes, one hand gripping Thomas, the other holding Leopold. "I'm fine. Check on these two."

Leopold let out a groan. "Vivienne, my hand's done for."

Thomas gestured to his own left hand. "Same here."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Vivienne quickly picked up some scattered wooden planks and expertly fashioned splints for their broken hands.

"This will do for now. We'll get it fixed back at the base. It's not a big deal."

Vivienne's gaze met Percival's.

He was staring into the rubble, his expression grave, eyes sharp as blades.

She understood his frustration.

They had been so close to capturing Scott.

Who would have thought a new type of bomb was buried here, one that even their detectors had not picked up?

If Vivienne had not switched to the real-time map, they might have been dealing with more than just a couple of broken hands. Whether they would even be found in one piece was up for debate!

Vivienne stepped forward, placing a hand on Percival's shoulder. "Mr. Wolf, let's head back."

Percival nodded. Scott was GTO's third in command, not someone they could easily apprehend.

"Captain, we've found all the missing infants. Two are critical and need... Ma’am's attention."

Vivienne blinked at the term 'ma’am.'

Turning around, she saw everyone except Leopold looking at her expectantly.

Oh, the 'ma’am' was her!

"Don't be ridiculous, people, we're only engaged, not married! ‘Ma’am’ sounds so old!" She protested inwardly.

Leopold, sitting on a rock, kicked the messenger. "What ‘ma’am?’? Did I give my blessing to be called that? Keep babbling nonsense, and I'll knock your teeth out!"

The team member blinked but ignored the 'little Husky's' outburst, focusing instead on Vivienne. "Ma’am, we're running out of time."

Vivienne snapped back to the situation, patting her subordinate’s shoulder, "Call me Vivienne next time."

With that, she rushed to the lab; time was of the essence.

Percival also dusted himself off, consoling his team member, "Husky’s bonus is yours this time."

"Thanks, Captain, thanks, ma'am," The team member beamed, then thanked Leopold, "And thanks, Leopold!"

As Leopold was about to clench his fist, a jolt of pain reminded him of his injury.

'Percival, you heartless man!' But, of course, these words remained unspoken.

Meanwhile, Percival's phone rang. Checking the caller ID, his deep-set eyes narrowed.