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.”

coach, Vivienne knew all about the history of her old rival,

compared to Hawk, still lagged

their prime, Bennett and his

of funds to attract promising new players, they

and nurture talent. With a mysterious coach joining three years

about this secretive coach. She had sent Matthew to investigate but to

had met Percival, the pieces fell into

never imagined facing off

onto Vivienne’s plate and raising his juice glass in a toast. “Then,

corner of her mouth, her eyes sparkling mischievously. She raised her glass and clinked it lightly against his. “Mr. Wolf, Hawk

…

for the group stage were announced on the first day

the group stage but were not placed

smirked at the grouping information, taunting Bennett across the room, “Tell Aaron we’ll see him in the finals—if you guys make

said with a nonchalant smile, “Why don’t you tell Aaron yourself? I saw you carrying Aaron back to the lounge at lunch.

Bennett left the drawing room

knew about the tension between Kenneth

like Aaron’s “little

knew about the fiery temper of Kenneth,

Kenneth was so enraged he

a last

would he let his brother

wait until we meet in the match—your

from the qualifiers. Vivienne and Percival set up training

real reason for Percival to

some people from distributing

it; the one prone to careless card distribution, Yuri, was busy

realize

good does knowing you’re wrong do? Can it spare my granddaughters any suffering? You’re good for nothing but trouble. If your brother hadn’t let it slip, I’d still be in the dark about my dear granddaughters being in danger. Have you become so bold as to keep secrets from me

pounding his cane,

silently, not daring to breathe

is cursed, always losing our treasures. Why can’t you careless boys

heart ached for his granddaughters, and his thoughts turned to his

something happening

could not bear to

Sasha…