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. “Get

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

wondering if teaming up

Kenneth said, exiting

he left, the doctor gave Aaron

“Don’t be

top priority is to ensure Vivienne’s safety? That’s what matters most,” Aaron said nonchalantly, seeing his

“Still, you’re not the one to protect her. No

argue further, as he never intended to heed Mark’s

birthday bash, right?” Aaron changed

“Yes,

with you,” Aaron said, a subtle gleam in his

paused, surprised. “You want

stick around school forever, can I? You said networking is essential, right?” Aaron challenged, “Or do you think my status as

in the Ellington family, with

Rivenwood’s elite made the list, and many business deals were sealed at

keen to attend, surprising and delighting Mark, who said, “I didn’t

Aaron closed the topic

but seeing his son’s disinterest, he stayed silent,

…

and he would have

Vivienne had mended his leg, proper

indisposed, Leopold took over his

Are you short on chauffeurs?” Leopold bristled at

the problem? You

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

not

them kiss

His patience had limits!

showing restraint not to confront

to

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

masochist, seeking

“I