The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 680

Yorick was so incensed he felt like giving another kick, but age had taken its toll. Even slapping had drained him of his strength, so he slumped back onto the couch, panting.

"Don't play dumb with me, boy. It was one thing when you were just making a quick buck here and there, nothing serious. But now you've gone and meddled with Vanguard Agency's affairs! You've got some nerve! Do you have any idea why I introduced Gillian to Lark and Vivienne?"

Dracon stood up silently, his head bowed, avoiding Yorick's piercing gaze.

Yorick took a breath to calm himself. "I wanted Lark and Vivienne to keep tabs on her! A criminal, sneaking her way into Vanguard Agency, knowing all my likes and dislikes without ever having met me. Dracon, you think I’m senile, don't you?

You think you can just waltz Gillian into Vanguard Agency? I orchestrated that! I wanted her under Vanguard's control! But I underestimated you. You interfered with my liaison with Vanguard Agency and, using my name, sent Gillian back after her blunder. If Percival hadn't come to warn me, I'd still be in the dark! Do you have any idea the gravity of Gillian's crimes?"

Dracon furrowed his brow, still playing the tough guy. "Dad, since when do you take Percival's word as gospel?"

"If I didn't have proof, would I be confronting you now?" Yorick flung the dossier from the table at Dracon's face.

After Percival left the other day, Yorick silently began an investigation. When he found out it was indeed Dracon who had saved Gillian, it nearly triggered his heart condition.

He had thought his son merely dull, but this was pure folly!

Foolish to the bone!

"I'm telling you, Dracon, if you use my name again, you can pack your bags and leave! I can't believe the Linklater family could produce such a failure!"

Yorick, unable to hold back his words in his fury, spun around and stormed back to his room.

Dracon stood there, the scattered papers on the floor mirroring the throbbing pain on his face, a constant reminder of his humiliation.

Fine, he was the failure of the Linklater family. But let's see what this 'failure' could do.

...

The Nine Mystics Society.

Vivienne arrived at headquarters, where all the leaders, including Aaron, were gathered.

"Vivienne, we've secured all transportation. Our people are in place, eyes on the target, ready to strike on your command," Aaron reported.

Vivienne eyed the red dots on the tablet, each representing the Nine Mystics Society's outposts.

"Good. Await my signal. Once we've located Larry and Carl, we'll take them down in one fell swoop!"

Everyone echoed, "Understood!"

Just then, Vivienne's cell phone rang. It was Thomas.

"Trouble, Madam. Percival's been taken by the Vanguard Agency!"

Vivienne's brow knitted. "What happened?"

"Yorick was rushed to the hospital this morning with a heart attack. He's still in the ER. According to Dracon, it was the health supplement Percival delivered that caused the episode. The authorities found traces of a new drug, Keco, from the Ashford family's bust in the supplement!"

Vivienne's fury coalesced into an icy resolve.

"Got it."

Hanging up, Vivienne turned to her team with a dark expression. "Get ready. We're breaking him out."

Suddenly, a deep voice boomed from behind. "Dracon."

Startled, Dracon stiffened while Vance and Micah turned their heads in surprise.

There stood a strapping man in a tailored suit, sporting a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and hair slicked back with precision. His gaze was penetrating, and he exuded an aura of unapproachability.

Dracon rose to his feet and took a couple of strides forward. "Hector, you're back!"

The newcomer was none other than Dracon's younger brother, the third Linklater son, Hector Linklater!

Micah clicked his tongue in realization; no wonder the man looked familiar. It finally dawned on him who this was.

A diplomat often seen on TV, Hector's directives were well-known throughout the entire Vanguard Agency.

During Micah's time on the front-lines, he had been involved in several international operations, all orchestrated by Hector himself.

Vance couldn't help but sigh. It was clear why this man was always rubbing shoulders with the top brass. Just standing there, he commanded respect like a true leader.

Hector had an air about him that Dracon could never match, reminiscent of their father, Yorick, in his younger days.

This was indeed the presence of a Linklater son!

Hector stepped forward and took hold of Dracon's arm. "Alright, what's the deal with Dad? He was fine when I called yesterday. How did he suddenly fall critically ill?"

"It's all because of that damn Percival. He had the nerve to poison our father! And to think Dad wanted to groom him as his successor. He couldn't have been more mistaken," Dracon spat out bitterly.