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.

Percival was

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

questions left

he knew that they

of him and disrupted the team’s

their teamwork, yet he was so provoked by Aaron that he

even if Hawk had won, it would not have been such an

the rest of Team Snake members tried to

Aaron just wound up the captain. He’s not

wrong, there are no excuses!” Percival bellowed, smashing the marble

had a feeling that it was not just

…

Meanwhile, on the rooftop.

won.” Aaron touched the medal around

Vivienne understood.

for an E-sports player, the

chose this moment

the reason for his retirement was not just because his old

factor was the pressure from the

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.

bitter laugh. “Regret? How could I not? It’s my passion, my irreplaceable

his head, wiping away a tear before looking up again, his

your choice, don’t regret it. Life’s

firmly at Vivienne’s

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

for money

allow the Miller family to look down on

saying, “Go say goodbye to

aren’t you celebrating

waved her hand dismissively, “No, I’ve got a

Vivienne’s retreating figure, the light in his eyes

I won’t let myself

out at the

in the