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!”

in the room, including Percival and

knew she was genuinely

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

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

and hurried to comfort her, “Oh, look at you, shedding precious tears. I’m fine, see? Stop crying,

up to inspect Finnian’s head, but to everyone’s surprise, she suddenly burst

again. You’re not

Oh dear, I haven’t seen you in a

shocked

Vivienne crying?

Vivienne,

not entirely out of

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

disciple, paid

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

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

gobsmacked, looked closely at

IOU for 80

ungrateful girl, conspiring with this outsider to swindle

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

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

an 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

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

time to pour Finnian a glass of water so he would not get

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

pointed an accusing finger at Percival. “You dare to collude with this ungrateful girl to steal my money? You will never be welcomed into my home! I’ll

was momentarily taken aback but quickly

Finnian’s hand gently down, he smiled. “I’ll pay

an amazing man. I knew I had not misjudged you. Look 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, and I’ll sort

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

that Finnian had not wasted his time in

at heart.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books