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!”

the room, including Percival

Vivienne knew she was

smooth things with a sycophantic smile. “You silly lass, I was just pulling your leg. Why the long

and you tell me it was

felt a pang of guilt 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

but to everyone’s surprise, she suddenly burst into heart-wrenching

You’re not hurt

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

was too shocked to utter

Vivienne crying?

Vivienne, weeping

entirely out of

the sofa, pulling out a piece of paper and scribbling a few lines before silently sliding it in

busy pacifying his disciple, paid no heed to

Finnian’s hand, sliced his finger just enough to draw blood, and

softly kissed the paper, and flicked away her remaining tears. “Finnian, this is what you owe me. Don’t forget

looked closely

an IOU for 80 million

ungrateful girl, conspiring with this

any sorrow, replaced by a

not an outsider. And don’t you think it’s fair to add

thousand dollars… Just a thousand, and you’ve been fixated on it for years!

you strike me down and save me from this ungrateful

ignored his dramatics, even taking the time to pour Finnian a glass of

It seemed that the older generation all fancied playing

collude with this ungrateful girl to steal my money? You will never

was momentarily taken aback but

down, he smiled. “I’ll pay that

a gentleman, truly one

Darren, seasoned in the acting world, had to

in solitary; his acting

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