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!”

eager for him to leave.

back his hand, shooting Aaron meaningful glances, his

if teaming up with Kenneth was too

Kenneth said,

doctor gave Aaron a thorough

son with concern. “Don’t be so

nonchalantly, seeing his father more as a means to an end to become the Miller

the one to

as he never intended to heed

bash, right?”

softened. “Yes, what about

said, a subtle

paused, surprised. “You want to

can I? You said networking is essential, right?” Aaron challenged, “Or do you think

a grand affair in the

list, and many business deals

interest before, but now he was keen to attend, surprising and delighting Mark, who said, “I didn’t mean that, Aaron.

agree, Aaron closed the topic

wanted to talk more, but seeing his son’s disinterest, he stayed

…

only two days, and he would have left sooner if Vivienne

even though Vivienne had mended

Thomas indisposed, Leopold took over his

now, Mr. Ellington? Are you short

“What’s the problem?

know you were whisking away

suddenly stopped, not

watch them kiss each

His patience had limits!

showing restraint not

to

Thomas had mentioned how often those two kissed in the car. Every ride was guaranteed to have at least one

not a masochist,

his cufflink. “I hear there’s