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

blood compared to

and his

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

a mysterious coach joining three years ago, they quickly surpassed old rival Hawk to become the top in

She had

had met Percival,

had never imagined facing off

onto Vivienne’s plate and raising

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

…

were announced on the first

group stage

across the room, “Tell Aaron we’ll see him in the

you tell Aaron yourself? I saw you carrying Aaron back to

the

about the

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

temper of Kenneth, the

so

was a last

way would he let his brother get his

meet in the match—your whole team will be

had a breather from the qualifiers. Vivienne and Percival set up training tasks for

real reason for Percival to

some people from distributing business cards

to careless card distribution,

I realize I

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

his cane, his

stood silently, not daring to breathe too

Perez family is cursed, always losing our treasures. Why can’t you careless boys get lost instead?

heart ached for his granddaughters, and his thoughts

something happening to

could not bear

Sasha…