The wedding reception was winding down when Vivienne, with all she''d learned, breezed over to the champagne tower. She grabbed a flute of bubbly, determined to prove she could handle her liquor. Just as she took her first sip, the tower copsed towards her in a shimmering cascade.


    Before she could dodge, a pair of cool hands wrapped around her, pulling her safely away. The champagne flowed behind her like a waterfall, its scent filling the air. She looked up into the eyes of her savior, his grip already loosening. He stepped back, his amber eyes glowing, a soft smile gracing his lips before he nodded at Vivienne and quickly disappeared without a word.


    Vivienne''s heart fluttered. It was the same man who''d rivalled Mr. Wolf in charm that morning. She watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.


    Suddenly, she was swept off her feet. Percival, with his sharp jawline and a cool aura, carried her outside to a swing set up for the wedding. Her curls danced in the breeze, a smile ying on her lips.


    "It wasn''t me who was watching him; he saved me," she teased, her voice light and yful.


    Percival''s gaze remained intense, his voice cold. "But you kept staring even after he left."


    Before Vivienne could muster an excuse, Percival''s kiss silenced her, fierce and demanding, their breaths mingling in the warmth of the moment. Finally, they parted, breathless.


    Percival shook his head, amused and slightly defeated by Vivienne''s boldness.


    "Shall we head back to the vi?" Vivienne suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement.


    Percival couldn''t help but feel a warm blush at his own jealousy. He buried his face in her neck, his voice husky, "The wedding isn''t over yet."


    Vivienne yed with his hair, "It''s fine. The important parts are done. It''s almost over."


    They shared augh, their yful banter a testament to their deep connection. But their moment was interrupted by a call to Percival''s phone. He answered, revealing a lead on a suspicious car and a mystery that needed solving.


    Vivienne''s own phone rang with news of missing women, deepening the mystery. Despite their desire to spend the night together, duty called. They decided to investigate the suspicious location in the city''s


    east.


    As they drove, the urbanndscape gave way to destion. The further east they went, the more abandoned it seemed. They reached a small vige, eerily quiet in the daylight.


    Percival parked and armed them


    both with sleek handguns, ready for whatever they might find. "Several of my people disappeared investigating this vige," he said, his voice grave. "I was going toe alone, but now that we''re both here, stay close."


    As they approached the vige, Vivienne felt a chill. This ce held secrets, and they were determined to uncover them, together.


    Vivienne shed a sly smile, her voiceced with amanding tone, "There''s nobody in this world who can handle me. It''s them who should be worrying about their safety!"


    Stepping out of the car together, guns holstered at their hips, they walked one after the other, eyes sharply scanning the vige.


    As soon as they entered the vige, Vivienne sensed they were under surveince. The road was nked by houses, each harboring a sniper. This ce was definitely where the bodies were hidden.


    No wonder Percival''s men hadn''t returned. Once within the sniper''s range, they''d look for an opportunity to take a headshot.


    Percival realized the gravity of the situation too, but retreating now wouldn''t help. It would only make them easier targets.Còntens bel0ngs to N?(v)elDr/a/ma.Org


    They had no choice but to keep moving forward.


    Walking behind Percival, Vivienne yfully wrapped her finger around his, feigning fatigue, "We''ve walked so much. I''m tired, and I need a drink."


    Percival surveyed their


    surroundings, "It''s my fault. I thought


    bringing you to Rivenwood to trace your roots would be a good idea, but I got us lost and led us to this deste ce, thinking we''d find someone selling water."


    "How about we knock on a door and ask?" Vivienne suggested. What she meant was, they could use the pretext of seeking shelter or water to assess a house for threats or use it as cover, ready to neutralize any upant on sight.