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 to

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

heavily, suddenly wondering if teaming up with Kenneth was

off then,” Kenneth

the doctor gave Aaron a

the bed, he looked at his son with concern. “Don’t be so reckless next time. What if

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

you’re not the one to protect

argue further, as he never

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

softened. “Yes,

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

“You

essential, right?” Aaron challenged, “Or do you think my status as a bastard son

affair in the

and many business deals were sealed

but now he was keen to attend, surprising and delighting

Mark agree, Aaron closed the topic and

seeing his son’s disinterest, he stayed silent, aware that Aaron was not quick to

…

was discharged from the hospital after only two days, and he would have left sooner if Vivienne had not insisted

to heal, and even though Vivienne had mended

Thomas indisposed, Leopold took over his

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

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

I didn’t know you were

suddenly stopped, not

them kiss each

His patience had limits!

showing restraint

now to be

often those two kissed in the car.

masochist,

casually remarked, adjusting his cufflink. “I hear