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!”

shoved him off, eager for him

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

teaming up with Kenneth was too

Kenneth

he left, the doctor gave Aaron a thorough check before

looked at his son with concern. “Don’t be so reckless next time. What if something serious

ensure Vivienne’s safety? That’s what matters most,” Aaron said nonchalantly, seeing his father more as a

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

argue further, as he never intended to heed

is Richard’s birthday bash, right?” Aaron changed

“Yes, what about

you,” Aaron said, a subtle gleam in his

paused, surprised. “You want

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

affair in the Ellington family,

elite made the list, and many business deals were sealed

to attend, surprising and delighting Mark, who said, “I didn’t mean that, Aaron. I’m

the

talk more, but seeing his son’s disinterest, he stayed silent, aware

…

hospital after only two days, and he would have left

and even though Vivienne had mended his

indisposed, Leopold took

Mr. Ellington? Are

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

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

stopped, not

watch them

His patience had limits!

already showing restraint not to confront

now to be

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

was not a masochist,

Percival casually remarked, adjusting his cufflink. “I hear there’s an