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.

Mara annoying, her current vulnerability

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

ignorant of the Boyd family drama as Vivienne would allow him to be.

Mara. “Hey, class is

tone left little room for further

hint, said to Kenneth, “Let’s focus on class for now.

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

ended, Kenneth was sprawled on his desk,

Mara, it’s lunchtime.

the place and friendless due to her

the chance

conveniently omitting her misdeeds and painting herself

what happened to me, but thankfully, Vivienne didn’t

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 they

by Kenneth’s newfound affection. “Since when are

of your business.” Kenneth snatched the last piece of chicken from Aaron’s plate

was silent, sizing up

her get familiar with the university. Elite University

them, discreetly called

“I’m aware. Don’t worry about

her a lesson?” Aaron was eager

he had not seen her much, and

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

him. “Aaron, you are the head of the Miller family, a leader in the Nine Mystics Society. I gave you that power to enrich

not spare a small fry like Mara a

was his zealousness that had clouded his judgment, making him forget his true

he apologized, realigning

a deep 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

Vivienne,” Aaron

Vivienne ended