The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the classroom, Aaron slid into a seat near the back, and Kenneth ambled over to join him, idly flipping through a textbook.

Before long, the pair caught snippets of hushed whispers and the occasional snicker from nearby students.

Turning in unison, they spotted a girl seated behind them. Her face bore a deep scar that seemed to draw the cruel curiosity of their classmates.

Aaron’s expression remained impassive as he turned away; such sights were hardly a novelty.

But Kenneth could not peel his eyes away, a sense of familiarity nagging at him.

Aaron yanked Kenneth’s head back around. “Dude, can you not stare at every girl you meet?”

Kenneth forcibly shifted his gaze back, muttering, “I’ve only stared at Anna! And this girl, she just looks so familiar. Wait, aren’t you Mara?”

Kenneth, who had grown up under the care of Cecilia, naturally recognized Mara, though they were never close.

Mara had once looked down on Kenneth for being adopted, echoing Percival’s snooty attitude. It was all rather shameless.

And Kenneth had his own gripes about Mara—her affected airs and constant “big brother” this and “big brother” that had always grated on him.

Although they never clashed openly, there was a silent mutual disdain, with each barely tolerating the other’s presence. Without adults around, not trading eye rolls was as cordial as it got.

Mara lifted her head, her surprise at seeing Kenneth fleeting before she masked it with indifference. “Kenneth? What are you doing here?”

“That’s my line. What happened to your face?”

Kenneth had been away from home and was clueless about the Boyd family’s upheaval.

Mara glanced down, her voice soft. “It’s nothing. You’re studying here too?”

Kenneth, never having heard Mara speak so meekly, was intrigued. “Yeah, you transferred here? Does Aunt Cecilia know?”

“Yeah. I’m here for grad school. My advisor said I’ve fallen behind, so he recommended I attend some classes to catch up,” Mara explained, casting a timid glance at Aaron’s back.

annoying, her current vulnerability

an arm around Aaron’s shoulder, introducing them. “This is my friend,

was as ignorant of the Boyd family drama as Vivienne would allow him to be. During his time in Sea City, the Nine Mystics Society had not briefed him on

at Mara. “Hey, class is

little room for

Kenneth, “Let’s focus on class for

singsong voice, “Hey, hey,” only to receive a sharp kick under

on his desk, asleep. Aaron nudged him awake. “You coming or

Mara, it’s lunchtime. Join

the place and friendless due to her scar, followed Aaron and Kenneth

finally got the chance to ask

conveniently omitting her misdeeds and painting

to me, but thankfully, Vivienne didn’t hold a grudge, allowing me to start

floor in thanks. If I knew they were having trouble in Sea City, I’d have bolted over there. Who do they think they are, making

affection. “Since when are you so close to

piece of chicken from Aaron’s plate and continued his lecture to

silent, sizing up

help her get familiar with the university. Elite University had changed

behind them, discreetly called

“I’m aware. Don’t worry about her; focus

you want me to teach her a lesson?” Aaron was

over the Miller family to Aaron, he had not seen her much, and she rarely replied to his

trouble in Sea City, he was keen to retaliate on her behalf. After all, he was certain that

leader in the Nine Mystics Society. I gave you that power to enrich yourself, not to squabble

realizing his mistake. Vivienne would not spare a small fry like Mara a second

clouded his judgment, making him forget his

he apologized, realigning

breath, “You need to think long-term, Aaron. Focus on getting the Miller family’s business back on track. Lately, performance has been slipping, and the staff are restless. There are also some power plays happening within the Miller family. As the head of the family, it’s your duty to get things in order.

Aaron

Vivienne