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!”

Percival and Finnian, was taken

with Vivienne knew

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

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

always fond of Vivienne, 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

up to inspect Finnian’s head, but to

You’re not

out tissues and wiping away tears while apologizing profusely, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Oh dear, I haven’t seen

shocked to

Vivienne crying?

merciless Vivienne, weeping

entirely out of

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

disciple, paid no heed to

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

tears. “Finnian, this is what you owe me. Don’t forget to pay

looked closely at

an IOU for 80

conspiring with this outsider to swindle

the IOU, her face devoid of any sorrow, replaced by a sly

an outsider. And don’t you think it’s fair to add a little interest to

Just a thousand, and you’ve been fixated on it for years! And now you’re charging me this outrageous interest, you ungrateful

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

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

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

girl to steal my money? You will

was momentarily taken aback but quickly

gently down, he smiled. “I’ll pay that

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

face-switching was so rapid that even Darren, seasoned in

time in solitary;

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