The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 648

Vivienne was on the perimeter, her gaze locked to the thermal imager as she monitored Anna's progress through the darkened alley.

Percival was at her side, fingers dancing across the laptop keyboard. Three seconds later, he declared, “Vivienne, we're in.”

Pressing her earpiece, Vivienne called out, “Strike team, come in. Do you copy?”

The entire team, including Anna, was momentarily startled.

Through the earpiece, Anna tapped back in Morse code—Ms. Vivienne?

“That’s right. Follow my lead. There are more bombs than your initial infrared scan detected. Tread carefully.”

Everyone at the Vanguard Agency knew that Vivienne was Percival's fiancée, and they would heed her commands without question. And, of course, Percival would obviously be right by her side.

This brought an unspoken comfort to the strike team as they navigated the treacherous terrain.

“Alpha and Bravo, move left. Charlie and Delta, keep a 3-feet distance behind. Anna, take the others and advance from the nine o'clock position. Watch the walls—electrified nets are set up to alert the hostiles inside.”

The strike team executed Vivienne's orders flawlessly, avoiding numerous triggers and drawing ever closer to the bomb-laden stronghold.

Back in the command vehicle, Thomas watched the heat signatures move and immediately understood.

Percival and Vivienne were undoubtedly nearby. This meticulous, calculated approach was Vivienne's signature—Careful and deadly.

Thomas, who had spent years working alongside Percival and Vivienne, knew this all too well.

Moreover, the equipment in Vivienne's possession was far more advanced than that of the Vanguard Agency, revealing traps that had previously gone undetected.

With her guidance, Anna would be able to complete the mission much faster.

The National Intelligence Bureau, led by Astrid, was also in position, ready to provide support. Although they were not bomb disposal experts, they were more than capable of backing up the team.

Under Vivienne's direction, Anna swiftly defused the first bomb site.

A few taps on her earpiece signaled — Alpha point clear.

Vivienne nodded in satisfaction. Astrid’s team received the signal and moved in.

Gillian, dutifully recording everything from the command vehicle, couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss with this operation.

The combined forces of the National Intelligence Bureau and the Vanguard Agency suggested a significant threat. Could it be the GTO they were up against?

If GTO was compromised, she knew the punishments she would receive would be severe. She could not afford to gamble.

Thomas, Micah, and Vance were deep in tactical discussion, oblivious to Gillian's movements.

Gillian stealthily approached the command console and, without a sound, activated the external speakers.

When Thomas returned, he didn’t notice the speakers were on—a device typically untouched unless they were ready to encircle and intimidate criminals. For a covert mission like this, flipping that switch was unthinkable.

Thomas picked up the microphone and began to speak, “Second squad, prepare to flank from the rear...”

His words sent shock waves through the ranks.

Everyone was stunned, including Vivienne and Percival on watch outside, as well as Anna and Astrid in the midst of their delicate task.

Suddenly, an enormous explosion tore through the serene Holiday Resort. Starting from a hidden passage, in just two seconds, the entire resort was reduced to rubble.

Even the command vehicle shook violently, its special bulletproof glass shattering under the force of the blast.

Glass shards flew everywhere, embedding themselves into the members of Vanguard Agency’s special squad.

Leopold and Soren sustained various injuries, their bodies peppered with countless fragments.