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

You neglected the high ground, focused solely on beating Aaron, and ignored the

left

that

him and disrupted the team’s synergy, allowing Hawk to find a

was so provoked by Aaron that he lost sight

teamwork alone, even if Hawk had won,

of Team Snake members tried

Aaron just wound up the captain. He’s

smashing the marble side table with a slap of his

seen Percival this angry before and had a feeling that it was not just about losing the

…

Meanwhile, on the rooftop.

Aaron touched the medal around his

Vivienne understood.

for an E-sports player,

this moment

was not just because his old teammates were

main factor was the pressure

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.

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

a tear before looking up again, his face

choice, don’t regret it. Life’s full of crossroads, but the path

firmly at

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 Miller

was not doing it for money

to look down on him.

saying, “Go say goodbye to the team

aren’t you celebrating

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

Vivienne’s retreating figure, the light

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

discreet black luxury car rolled out at

the back, her mood