The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne was no stranger to using her imagination. She rummaged through her bag and handed Aaron a stack of papers. “I need the final product in three days. Get it done.”

Aaron accepted the papers, and to his surprise, they contained plans for a state-of-the-art camera system made from transparent crystal material. If installed as the eyes of a bionic robot, they would be indistinguishable from human eyes!

“I assure you, the task will be completed.”

This was Aaron’s first mission since joining the Nine Mystics Society, and he could not afford to take it lightly.

He had to nail it to impress Vivienne and to prove that he, not Percival, was her most capable assistant.

“Good.” Vivienne nodded, watching Aaron’s confident demeanor.

This was his chance to prove himself, and whether he succeeded or failed, she would finally be able to flush out the traitor.

The reason she had tasked Aaron was to test him, to ensure he was not naively treating the Society like some kind of adventure game.

As Vivienne prepared to leave, Aaron opened his mouth to speak when a deep, magnetic voice called out from ahead.

“Vivienne, I’m here.”

Both Vivienne and Aaron looked up, their expressions changing. Vivienne was elated. Aaron, on the other hand, was clearly annoyed.

“Mr. Wolf! Did you bring the strawberry cheesecake?” Vivienne ran over like a schoolgirl, throwing herself into Percival’s arms, her eyes lighting up at the thought of her favorite treat.

Percival chuckled and ruffled her hair. “Don’t you want to see me instead of just eyeing the cheesecake?”

like a strawberry cheesecake made by

wait to dig into the cheesecake, and the stoic Percival unwrapped it for her to enjoy

sun cast its dying light across the playground, the two strolled

she savored each bite of the cheesecake, while the one he had waited half an hour in line to purchase sat abandoned

last gleam highlighted the cake box before fading away, along

seemed to scoff at his futile effort. “How laughable, your painstaking efforts couldn’t outshine a simple ‘I’m

the scene unfold, a slow

methodically eating the strawberry cheesecake he had bought. The cloying sweetness made him

with a timely offering of iced coffee.“I heard the campus

not spent much time with Mara, their

what’s this about a campus

ace and the future finance mogul, the ideal boyfriend, inheriting a fortune. You guys are

frowned. “What’s all this

first day.

confessions. People are saying if

choked on his tea. “There’s nothing between us. If anything, he’s my rival. Always has

flushed face. “I know you guys are just bros, but it’s fun for us to fantasize. There are plenty who have secret

of secret crushes, Aaron’s spirits

amount of strawberry

right through Aaron, having witnessed the scene with

you want, I’m here to listen,” she offered with a warm

did not care who

entire youth, but she doesn’t like me back. She’s

to get her to notice

begin with! You’re outstanding, but Percival is many times more