The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The chat group was quiet at first, filled with question marks. Then, like a stone thrown into a pond, messages began to flood in.

It was like a bomb had gone off.

Jerry Perez, the second oldest, chimed in: "Leopold, that trick won't work on us!"

Daniel, the third, added: "No offense, Leopold, but you're just not in the same league as us."

Eric, the fourth, joked: "Leopold's definitely got some delusions of grandeur."

Old-man Dawson couldn't believe it: "Has Leopold lost his mind? ... The nerve to say that, did you eat lion's heart and leopard's courage?"

Donald, the sixth, laughed: "Leopold, you're trying to kill us with laughter. If Vivienne would let her kid call you godfather, I'd call you godfather too!" Enzo agreed: "Seconded!"

Larry, the eighth, added: "Seconded +1!"

Gary sent a long voice message, laughing so hard he couldn't even speak.

Leopold, feeling smug, was driving with one hand and replied with a voice message, specifically tagging Donald.

"Come on, Donald, the master is still here. If you call me godfather... that's like shortening my life!"

"And if you dared, I wouldn't dare accept."

The group went silent.

Then, Old-man Dawson sent a message, "Leopold, did Vivienne confirm this herself?"

Leopold couldn't suppress his grin. "Dawson, you too? Would I dare share the news with you guys if Vivienne hadn't agreed?"

With that, Leopold closed his phone, feeling victorious as the group's messages kept coming.

He had secured his position as godfather.

The next day, when Vivienne got into the car, she saw Leopold grinning from ear to ear as if he'd stumbled upon some great fortune.

asked, "Did you and Griffin

family guards Griffin. If I dared to elope, they'd

car, smiling at Vivienne in the rearview mirror, "I told the guys about you agreeing to my request. Let

the godfather of your two kids. Let's see who

Vivienne was speechless.

being dragged

the prison,

expression, she calmly stated, "Stop waiting,

body tensed, his hoarse voice breaking through, "She can't

nothing but threw a photo

tumult of emotions flashed in

with her. Her body is now in the research lab. As for any chances of her making

could be pieced back into a whole was debatable. How could

involved, her end would be

he muttered, "She never

eyes narrowed, "What final step? Who

hadn't laid a hand on Declan, guessing there

this deal wouldn't surface until the

know," Declan's voice was

spared your life, there must be something you promised

Anything she couldn't take

if this person was chosen by

a means to an end for her. Now that Abigail is dead, do with me as you

great lengths for her, yet she regarded you as expendable. Yet, here you are, alive. Do you think

knew how deep Declan could scheme. He must harbor some of

the gleam in her eyes, "Name the person, and I'll

bitterly, "What does death matter? The world is flawed. After my death, someone else

but it

of his inner energy, struck

was indeed such a person, but

in, shocked at the scene. Draven