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 softened

introducing them. “This is my friend, Aaron.

Vivienne would allow him

Mara. “Hey, class

little room for

hint, said to Kenneth, “Let’s focus on

hey,” only to

was sprawled on his desk, asleep. Aaron nudged him awake.

Mara, it’s lunchtime.

the place and friendless due to her scar, followed Aaron

the chance to ask her about

story, conveniently omitting her misdeeds and painting herself as a pitiable

to me, but thankfully,

owe her big time. You should be knocking your head on the floor in thanks. If I knew they were having trouble in Sea City, I’d have bolted over there. Who do

irked by Kenneth’s newfound affection. “Since when are you so close to

last piece of chicken from Aaron’s plate and

was silent, sizing up Mara with

help her get familiar with the university. Elite University had changed a lot since Mara’s last

them, discreetly called Vivienne to

aware. Don’t worry about her; focus

teach her a lesson?” Aaron was eager

he had not seen her much,

City, he was keen to retaliate on her behalf. After all, he

Vivienne’s voice chilled as she rebuked him. “Aaron, you are the head of the Miller family, a leader in the Nine Mystics Society. I gave you that power to enrich yourself, not to squabble

mistake. Vivienne would not spare a small fry like Mara

had clouded his judgment, making

apologized, realigning

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. Once the

Vivienne,” Aaron replied

that, Vivienne ended