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 out

pulled back his hand, shooting Aaron meaningful

wondering if teaming up with Kenneth was

Kenneth said, exiting Aaron’s

gave Aaron a thorough

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

Aaron said nonchalantly, seeing his father more as a means to an

“Still, you’re not the one to protect her.

not argue further, as he never intended to

birthday bash, right?”

“Yes, what

you,” Aaron said,

“You want

right?” Aaron challenged, “Or

the Ellington family, with many clamoring for

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

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

Aaron closed the topic and rested

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

…

and he

even though Vivienne had mended his leg,

Leopold

Are you

problem? You

fumed, “Back then, I didn’t know you were whisking away Vivienne. Now that I know,

not finishing the

them kiss

His patience had limits!

already showing restraint

now to be their

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

not a masochist, seeking out agony

casually remarked, adjusting his cufflink. “I