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 was

into a trap knowingly? Why go for a solo kill on Aaron in game three? You neglected the high ground, focused solely

questions left

he knew that they lost

best of him and disrupted the team’s synergy,

was so provoked by Aaron that

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

of Team Snake

wound up the captain.

is wrong, there are no excuses!” Percival bellowed, smashing the marble side table with a slap

angry before and had a feeling that it was not

…

Meanwhile, on the rooftop.

touched the medal around his neck, his face devoid

Vivienne understood.

for an E-sports player,

this moment

for his retirement was not just

main factor was 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.

passion, my irreplaceable glory, my very own

away a tear before looking up again, his face stoic

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

firmly

more. Aaron was smart enough to know that even if he continued in E-sports, there would come a day

it for

family to look down on

hand, saying, “Go say goodbye to

you celebrating with

Vivienne walked away, she waved her hand dismissively,

watched Vivienne’s retreating figure, the light

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

rolled out at

sat in the back, her mood