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

new blood compared to Hawk, still

and his team could outplay many

and Hawk’s lack of funds to attract promising new players, they

With a mysterious coach joining three years ago, they quickly surpassed old rival

secretive coach. She had sent Matthew to

that she had met Percival, the pieces

imagined facing off against Mr.

his intentions, switching his finely cut steak onto Vivienne’s plate and raising his juice

sparkling mischievously. She raised her glass and clinked it lightly against his. “Mr. Wolf,

…

announced

and Snake both made it to the group stage

“Tell Aaron we’ll see him in the

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

that, Bennett left the drawing

knew about the tension between Kenneth

now, Kenneth looked like Aaron’s “little lackey,”

fiery temper of Kenneth, the young heir of

Kenneth was so enraged

a last

way would he let his brother

we meet in the match—your whole

next day, both Hawk and Snake had a breather from the qualifiers. Vivienne and Percival set

was no real reason for Percival to go to the hospital, he felt he had

people

to careless card distribution, Yuri, was

I realize

but trouble. If your brother hadn’t let it slip, I’d still be in the dark about my dear

pounding his cane,

not daring to breathe too loud while his

family is cursed, always losing

ached for his granddaughters, and

of something happening to

could not bear to

Sasha…