The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Karen’s identity was shrouded in the utmost secrecy; only the highest echelons within the hospital were privy to her details. The nurses and doctors, not privy to such clearance, only knew that Percival had brought in a VIP patient who was also a knockout beauty.

Aaron couldn’t bear to listen to the idle gossip any longer. “Have you lost your minds? What’s there to admire about someone who’s playing the field?”

His sudden outburst startled the two young nurses, who scurried out of the elevator.

Alone in the lift, Aaron fumed over Percival’s audacity. How could he let Vivienne wait on his old flame like that? Sick! Despicable! Some people just shouldn’t exist!

Upon exiting the elevator, Aaron used his access card to make his way to the penthouse floor. When he encountered the security guard, he flashed the Nine Mystics Society’s token.

As a member of the Nine Mystics Society, the guard recognized the emblem of authority and allowed Aaron to pass without question.

“Master Aaron, the young master is not in. Please wait here,” one of Percival’s men said, assuming Aaron was there to see Vivienne.

Aaron pocketed his token. “It’s fine. Don’t bother about me. I’m just looking around. No need to tell Vivienne I was here; I don’t want to disturb her.”

“Understood.”

After giving his instructions, Aaron approached the hospital room.

Peering through the glass, Aaron saw Percival tenderly wiping the brow of the woman on the bed with an utterly uncharacteristic gentleness.

So tender, it couldn’t possibly be Percival!

No mistake about it: this woman was Percival’s first love!

“Percival, you sleaze, one wasn’t enough for you, huh? Alright, just you wait!” Aaron cursed inwardly.

He was about to burst in but held himself back. He had to wake Vivienne up first; he couldn’t let her be manipulated by this cad any longer!

With that thought, he turned and left.

Just as Aaron stepped into the elevator, Vivienne emerged from her office, catching only a glimpse of a retreating figure.

“Aaron? He came and didn’t look for me?” She wondered.

However, Vivienne didn’t dwell on it and entered the ward. “How’s it going? Did you wipe my mom’s face?”

“Vivienne, I hope I did a

sighed. “Mr. Wolf, you really have no knack

only to find he had

“I thought I

her face,” Vivienne said, wetting the

it any longer. “Let me take over. You didn’t even

I didn’t

Vivienne, let’s face it, we’re both not cut out for

for Karen was

Aaron stormed out of the hospital, running straight into

you. I remembered this photo; it feels off.

spotted the

did you

thought it was Vivienne, but on closer inspection, it’s not. I knew my brother wouldn’t be so kind to Vivienne for no reason.

a novel’s

trope. Tsk, tsk, tsk. She hadn’t expected her offhand remark to

fixated

was part

was her purpose in coming

her to get close

she couldn’t be allowed to

that, Aaron turned to

“Hey, where are you off

to

his way. “No, if you go to Vivienne, wouldn’t that be betraying me? I still want to stay in good standing with the Ellington family. Aaron, you can’t be

realize how dangerous this ‘Karen’ is? I can’t let anyone

care of it? You have the means. If it were Percival, he’d just click his fingers, and the problem would

a chord

there, contemplating. “Right, I can take care

breathed a sigh of relief; Aaron

my help? You can’t just whisk away a living person from the hospital on your own, can you?”

to ensure Karen’s demise. Mara had to confirm

a once-over. “Fine, let’s meet tonight under the hospital. I’ll go

replied, relieved

Mara’s retreating figure before turning back to the