The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Scott suddenly grabbed Calista’s neck, pulling her roughly toward him as his eyes blazed with a chilling intensity.

“No? Then you’ll die for it!”

Calista’s eyes reddened with fear, and tears streamed down her face instantly.

She knew Scott was serious—he would undoubtedly let her die.

Disgusted, Scott pushed Calista away and wiped his hands with a tissue. “Brody has bugged you. Get back to the lab tomorrow, work on that virus with TIC Research Institute, and don’t screw up.”

Calista nodded in understanding. “Yes, I’ve got it.”

Scott gave Calista a cold glance that carried the same annoyance as he felt with her mother.

Then, donning his mask, he stood up and left. He still had to track down Rowan and Ismene.

Those two had betrayed the organization, and they would not be forgiven.

In the restaurant, Vivienne bit into a juicy steak, scrolling through messages on her phone.

[Vivienne, Timothy’s fine. The Brooks family business is a bit messy, but Baron’s in charge, so it’s stable. Timothy’s been auditing the company accounts lately.]

While chewing on her steak, Vivienne replied. [If Timothy’s alright, then check on Carl. Make sure their whole family’s safe.]

Matthew responded promptly. [On it.]

Vivienne was engrossed in her phone, oblivious to Percival’s longing gaze from across the table.

It was not until Vivienne reached for the next dish that she noticed Percival’s eager eyes.

“Mr. Wolf, do I look that appetizing to you?”

A shadow flickered in Percival’s eyes, which seemed to linger on Vivienne. “Yes, you do look quite appetizing.”

“Then eat up. You’ve got a match this afternoon.” Vivienne forked some salad into her mouth.

Percival raised an eyebrow. “You know?”

Vivienne glanced up. “Snake lost their championship chance in the team match three years ago, but a month later, they came back and took six titles in a row. There’s no way they did that by themselves.”

all, as Hawk’s top coach, Vivienne knew all about the history

fresher with new blood compared to Hawk, still

their prime, Bennett and his team could outplay

with slower reflexes now and Hawk’s lack of funds to attract promising new players, they were

empire, willing to spend and nurture talent. With a mysterious coach joining three years ago, they quickly surpassed old rival Hawk

curious about this secretive coach. She

met Percival, the

never imagined facing off against Mr.

Vivienne’s plate

her mouth, her eyes sparkling mischievously. She raised her glass and clinked it lightly against his. “Mr. Wolf, Hawk won’t hold

…

announced on the

to the group stage but were not placed

at the grouping information, taunting Bennett across the room, “Tell Aaron we’ll see

smile, “Why don’t you tell Aaron yourself? I saw you carrying Aaron back to the

the drawing

present knew about the tension between Kenneth

Aaron’s “little

fiery temper of Kenneth, the young heir of

so enraged he

was a

way would he let his

meet in the match—your

and Percival set up training tasks for their teams

for Percival to

people from

Percival was overthinking it; the one prone to careless

I realize

nothing but trouble. If your brother hadn’t let it slip, I’d still be in the dark about my dear granddaughters

cane, his eyes reddening

silently, not daring to breathe too

didn’t know better, they’d think the Perez family is cursed, always losing

his granddaughters, and

thought of something happening

bear to think

Sasha…