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

fresher with new blood compared to Hawk, still

Bennett and his team could outplay many

reflexes now and Hawk’s lack of funds

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

had been curious about this secretive coach. She had sent Matthew to investigate but to no

that she had met Percival, the pieces

facing off against Mr.

longer hid his intentions, switching his finely cut steak onto Vivienne’s plate and raising his juice glass in a toast.

her eyes sparkling mischievously. She raised her glass and clinked it lightly

…

were announced on

both made it to the group stage but were not placed

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

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

left the drawing

present knew about the tension between Kenneth

Kenneth looked like Aaron’s “little lackey,” carrying him back

Kenneth, the young

Kenneth was so enraged he nearly

a

let his

“Just wait until we meet in the match—your whole team will

next day, both Hawk and Snake had a breather from the qualifiers. Vivienne and Percival set up training tasks for their teams and headed

reason for Percival to go to the

some people from distributing

it; the one prone to

realize I

hadn’t let it slip, I’d still be in the dark about my dear granddaughters being

ranted, pounding his cane, his eyes reddening with

to breathe too loud while

Perez family is cursed, always losing our treasures. Why

ached for his granddaughters, and his thoughts turned

something happening

bear

Sasha…