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

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

left Kenneth

knew that they lost mainly because of his

him and disrupted the team’s synergy, allowing Hawk

so provoked by Aaron that

had won,

into silence while the rest of Team Snake

just wound up the

there are no excuses!” Percival bellowed, smashing

Percival this angry before and had a feeling

…

Meanwhile, on the rooftop.

medal around his neck, his face devoid

Vivienne understood.

age for an E-sports player, the pinnacle of his

he chose this

the reason for his retirement was not just because his old

the pressure from the Miller

on a lot of professional training in his youth and now had to catch up quickly in order to navigate the business world

“Regret it?” Vivienne asked.

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

away a tear before looking up again, his face stoic as

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

firmly at Vivienne’s

was smart enough to know that even if he continued in E-sports, there would come

was not doing it for money

to look down on

“Go say goodbye to

aren’t you

her hand dismissively,

Vivienne’s retreating figure, the light in his eyes

I’ve regretted it once. From now on, I won’t let myself regret

car rolled out

sat in the back,