The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Aaron eyed Kenneth with a frosty gaze.

“Spit it out. I don’t have all day for your blather,” he said, not in the mood for Kenneth’s usual nonsense.

Kenneth fell silent momentarily, then muttered, “Word on the street is you played the hero for Vivienne. Right now, my brother Percival is probably playing doctor with her in the hospital room; might as well be swapping spit already.”

Aaron bolted upright, nearly tearing his stitches. “What did you say? Vivienne is so young. Has Percival no shame?”

“Oh, don’t pin it on my brother. It’s Vivienne who’s been throwing herself at him!” Kenneth’s face darkened instantly.

“Bullshit!” Aaron snapped back.

“I don’t spout crap like you do!” Kenneth retorted coldly.

Aaron took a breath, trying to keep his cool. “What exactly do you want to tell me?”

Kenneth glanced back at the closed door of the ward, then leaned in closer to Aaron as if sharing a secret.

Aaron pushed him away, disgusted. “We’re alone in here. Just get to the point.”

“What if we team up to keep Vivienne away from my brother? What do you say?” Kenneth was not skulking around anymore; he had had this idea for quite some time.

Aaron’s actions had proved his deep feelings for Vivienne, making him the perfect ally in Kenneth’s plot to break her away from Percival.

Aaron eyed Kenneth skeptically. “Team up? How?”

They whispered back and forth until Mark strolled in with a doctor.

Kenneth’s presence surprised Mark as much as Bennett and the others earlier.

“Kenneth, here to see Aaron, are you? Thanks for caring,” Mark said, the picture of warmth.

With Mark’s return, it was Kenneth’s cue to leave without making it awkward.

He slapped Aaron on the shoulder, “No need for formalities, we’re all brothers here!”

for him to leave. “Get out of

shooting Aaron meaningful glances, his eyes saying, “Don’t forget

wondering if teaming up with

off then,” Kenneth said, exiting Aaron’s

left, the doctor gave Aaron

looked at his son with concern. “Don’t be

his father more as a means to an end to become the Miller family heir and secure the power

you’re not the one to

he never intended to

bash, right?”

“Yes,

Aaron said, a subtle

“You

just stick around school forever, can I? You said networking is essential, right?” Aaron challenged, “Or do you think my status as a bastard son isn’t fitting to accompany

a grand affair in the Ellington family, with many clamoring for an

list, and many business deals

now he was keen to attend, surprising and delighting Mark,

the topic and rested

more, but seeing his son’s disinterest, he stayed silent, aware that Aaron was

…

discharged from the hospital after only two days, and he would have left sooner if

to heal, and even though Vivienne had mended his

Thomas indisposed, Leopold

now, Mr. Ellington? Are you short on chauffeurs?” Leopold bristled at

at him coolly. “What’s the problem? You used to

didn’t know you were whisking away Vivienne. Now that I know, you expect me

stopped, not finishing the

them kiss

His patience had limits!

was already showing restraint not

to

two kissed in the car. Every ride was guaranteed to have at least

was not a masochist, seeking out agony

his cufflink. “I hear there’s an opening on Fariana