The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The world champion announced his retirement the moment he lifted the trophy, sending shock waves through the competitive gaming community.

Aaron’s retirement news hit the trending lists instantly, outshining even Hawk’s victory celebration in terms of online explosion.

Yet, the person who took it the hardest was Kenneth.

“Dammit, he wins, and then he quits? How is that any different from those jerks who ghost you after a one-night stand!” Kenneth raged.

Callum tried to reason. “Dude, that… Might not be the best analogy.”

Kenneth shot him a glare that could scorch the earth. “Well then, genius, you tell me how to put it!”

The room fell silent, fearing Kenneth’s wrath. Seething, Kenneth grabbed his phone and called Aaron, unleashing a tirade that lasted a solid ten minutes without repeating a single insult.

Aaron, however, said nothing, hanging up the phone as soon as Kenneth took a breath.

Kenneth stared at his phone, the tone droning in his ear, his face so dark that even the devil would steer clear.

Callum instinctively scooted back.

They all knew Kenneth was at his most terrifying, not when he was shouting but silent like this.

Kenneth’s grip on his phone whitened his knuckles.

Suddenly, with a loud crash, Kenneth slammed his phone to the ground and spun around, intent on confronting Aaron.

But standing behind him, more menacing than Hades himself, was Percival.

“Bro,” Kenneth immediately lowered his head, “I screwed up, punish me whatever way you want.”

Percival sat down, his long legs crossed, leaning back casually on the couch. He looked up and asked, “What did you do wrong?”

“I embarrassed you.”

Percival’s eyes flashed coldly. “You still don’t realize what you did wrong, and you have the nerve to settle scores with Aaron?”

Kenneth flinched as if struck.

knew Percival

game three? You neglected the high ground, focused solely on beating Aaron, and ignored the rest. Have all my words these

left Kenneth

knew that they lost

get the best of him and disrupted the team’s synergy, allowing Hawk

their teamwork, yet he was so provoked by

Hawk had won, it would not have

was chastised into silence while the rest of Team Snake

wound up the

no excuses!” Percival bellowed, smashing the marble side

never seen Percival this angry before and had a feeling that

…

Meanwhile, on the rooftop.

touched the medal around his neck, his face devoid of

Vivienne understood.

the prime age for an

this

reason for his retirement was not just because his old teammates were moving

was the pressure from the

Miller family, he had missed out on a lot of professional training in his youth and now had to catch up quickly in order to navigate the

“Regret it?” Vivienne asked.

“Regret? How could I not? It’s my passion, my irreplaceable glory, my very own triumph. How could I not

before looking up

“If you’ve made your choice, don’t regret it. Life’s full of crossroads, but the path is

nodded firmly at Vivienne’s

say more. Aaron was smart enough to know that even if he continued in E-sports, there would come a day to retire. By then, there might be no place for him in the

not doing it for money but

to look down on him. For

saying, “Go say goodbye

you celebrating with

waved her hand dismissively, “No,

Vivienne’s retreating figure, the light in his eyes

once. From now on, I won’t let myself

discreet black luxury car rolled out at the Centurial E-sport Hotel parking

sat in the back,