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

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

left

the match ended, he knew that they lost

his temper get the best of him and disrupted the team’s synergy,

was so provoked by Aaron that he lost sight of

Hawk had won, it would not have

chastised into silence while the rest of Team Snake members tried to

wound up the captain. He’s not usually

excuses!” Percival bellowed, smashing the

had a feeling that it was not just

…

Meanwhile, on the rooftop.

the medal around his neck, his face

Vivienne understood.

the prime age for an E-sports player, the pinnacle

this moment

not just because his old teammates were moving

was the pressure from the Miller

training in his youth and now had to catch up quickly

“Regret it?” Vivienne asked.

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

a tear before looking up

it. Life’s full of crossroads, but

nodded firmly at

not 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

doing it for money but

allow the Miller family to look down on him. For his mother’s

“Go say

you celebrating with

waved her

figure, the light in his

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

luxury car rolled out

in the back, her