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!”

him to

pulled back his hand, shooting Aaron meaningful glances, his eyes

teaming up with

off then,” Kenneth said,

left, the doctor gave Aaron

beside the bed, he looked at his son with concern. “Don’t be

his father more as a

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

argue further, as he never intended to

birthday bash, right?” Aaron changed

“Yes, what about

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

surprised. “You want

around school forever, can I? You said networking is essential, right?” Aaron challenged, “Or do you think my status as a bastard son isn’t fitting

was a grand affair in the

Rivenwood’s elite made the list, and many

never shown interest before, but now he was keen to attend, surprising and delighting Mark, who said, “I

Mark agree, Aaron closed the

seeing his son’s disinterest, he stayed silent, aware that

…

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

Vivienne had mended his leg, proper rest

indisposed, Leopold took over

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

glanced at him coolly. “What’s the problem? You used to drive

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

suddenly stopped, not finishing

watch them kiss

His patience had limits!

showing restraint not to confront

now to

had mentioned how often those two kissed in the car. Every

not a masochist, seeking out agony

cufflink. “I hear