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 and Finnian, was

with Vivienne knew she

things with a sycophantic smile. “You silly lass,

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

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

head, but to everyone’s surprise, she suddenly burst

You’re not hurt at

was in a fluster, pulling out tissues and wiping away tears while apologizing profusely, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Oh dear, I haven’t

too shocked

Vivienne crying?

Vivienne, weeping

entirely out of

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

pacifying his disciple, paid no

enough to draw blood, and

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

looked closely at

was an IOU for 80

conspiring with

devoid of any sorrow, replaced by a sly

is my fiancé, not an outsider. And don’t you think it’s fair to add a little interest to

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

don’t you strike me down and save me from this ungrateful girl’s treachery? Why

pour Finnian a glass

that the older generation all fancied playing

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

taken aback but quickly

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

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

Darren, seasoned in the acting world, had to

had not wasted his time in solitary; his acting chops

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