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

Vivienne knew she

Finnian quickly tried to smooth things with a sycophantic smile. “You

for this long, and you tell me it was a joke?” Vivienne stood up, her eyes brimming with tears

shedding precious tears. I’m fine, see? Stop crying, and come check the injury that

sniffled, standing up to inspect Finnian’s head, but to everyone’s surprise, she

lied again. You’re

in a fluster, pulling out tissues and wiping away tears while apologizing profusely, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Oh dear, I

was too shocked to

Vivienne crying?

merciless Vivienne, weeping

not entirely out

a piece of paper and scribbling a few lines before

pacifying his disciple, paid no heed to Percival’s

grabbed Finnian’s hand, sliced his finger just enough to draw blood, and pressed it onto the paper with such speed

kissed the paper, and flicked away her remaining tears. “Finnian, this is what you

looked closely

IOU

conspiring with this outsider to swindle

her face devoid of any sorrow, replaced by a

And don’t you think it’s

been fixated on it for years! And now you’re charging me this outrageous interest, you ungrateful

me from this ungrateful girl’s treachery? Why is my life filled

even taking the time to pour Finnian a glass of water so he would not get hoarse from

It seemed that the older generation all fancied playing the mischievous

“You dare to collude with this ungrateful girl to steal my money? You will never be welcomed into my home! I’ll never

taken aback but quickly

“I’ll pay that 80 million

Look at that face, the epitome of a gentleman, truly one in a million. If that girl ever gives you trouble, you come straight

so rapid that even Darren, seasoned in the acting world,

that Finnian had not wasted his time in solitary; his acting chops were

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