The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Without a word, Percival stepped forward and yanked the man being pecked at by the parakeet away from Birdie.

The man, powerless against the bird and certainly unable to resist Percival’s grip, allowed himself to be escorted to the lounge.

“Old Geezer! Old Geezer!” The parrot squawked triumphantly upon reaching Vivienne, ceasing its pecking frenzy to perch atop the man’s head, its tiny head held high in a display of pride as if to say: “Praise me, come on, praise me!”

Fuming, the man plucked Birdie from his head and, gripping its neck, growled menacingly, “You dumb bird, I should’ve wrung your neck when I had the chance. You ungrateful creature, what made you betray me this time?”

Flapping its wings in a futile attempt to escape, the parrot broke free and landed on Darren’s shoulder.

“Chicken tenders, chicken tenders!” It chirped.

Chicken tenders were Birdie’s favorite, and Darren had stocked up on them at home, dedicating half the freezer to the bird’s preferred snack.

Pounding his fist in frustration, the man lamented, “All for some chicken tenders, Darren? After all these years, couldn’t you have spoiled it with something fancier?”

The treacherous bird, selling him out for mere chicken tenders, just like that wretched girl!

Darren, still puzzled, asked, “Excuse me, sir, do we know each other?”

Percival, unfazed, stepped forward and ripped off the man’s disguise, revealing his true face.

Darren nearly collapsed in shock.

It was Finnian, Vivienne’s elusive mentor whom she had been hunting down for debts!

“Holy smokes! Finnian! Is that really you?”

Although Darren was a mere associate member of the mentorship, having fled the fold soon after joining, Finnian was still his mentor.

Caught off guard by Percival’s bold move, Finnian scrambled to cover his face with his elbow, exclaiming, “Wrong guy, you’ve got the wrong guy!”

Vivienne gritted her teeth fiercely. “Finnian! Put your hands down!”

including Percival and Finnian,

with Vivienne knew she was

to smooth things with a sycophantic smile. “You silly lass, I was

You faked your death for this long, and you tell me it was

seeing her cry and hurried to comfort her, “Oh, look at you, shedding precious tears. I’m fine, see? Stop crying, and come check the injury that dumb bird inflicted on me; it hurts like

inspect Finnian’s head, but to everyone’s surprise,

again. You’re not hurt at

I’m sorry! Oh dear, I haven’t seen you in a while, and you’ve become such a crybaby. Please, stop crying,

was too shocked to

Vivienne crying?

merciless Vivienne,

entirely out of

lounged casually on the sofa, pulling out a piece of paper and scribbling

disciple, paid no heed to Percival’s

the weeping Vivienne suddenly grabbed Finnian’s hand, sliced his finger just enough to draw blood, and pressed it onto the paper

and flicked away her remaining tears. “Finnian,

looked closely

was an IOU for 80 million

with this outsider to

her face devoid of any sorrow,

you think it’s fair to add

accusing finger at Vivienne. “A thousand dollars… Just a thousand, and you’ve been fixated on it for years! And now you’re charging me this outrageous interest, you

strike me down and save me from this

glass of water so he would not get hoarse from all

the scene, reminded of his grandfather. It seemed that the older generation all fancied playing the mischievous old

Percival. “You dare to collude with this ungrateful girl to steal my money? You will never be welcomed into

taken aback

hand gently down, he smiled. “I’ll pay that 80 million dollars for

face, the epitome of a gentleman, truly

was so rapid that even Darren, seasoned in the acting

not wasted his time in solitary; his acting chops were as

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