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.

"Did you and Griffin

are you teasing me too? You know how tightly the Martinez family guards Griffin. If I

the rearview mirror, "I told the guys about

of your two kids. Let's see who

Vivienne was speechless.

being dragged into

prison, Leopold waited

Declan alone, facing his stoic expression, she

Declan's body tensed, his hoarse voice breaking

but threw

saw it, a tumult of emotions

slightly raising an eyebrow, "I personally dealt with her. Her body is now in the research lab. As for any chances of her

Abigail's remains could be pieced back into a whole was debatable. How

involved, her end

muttered, "She never

"What final step? Who

on Declan, guessing there was some deal between him and

wouldn't surface until the

know," Declan's voice was

must be something

she couldn't take with her, she'd destroy

but if this person was chosen by

down, "You're barking up the wrong tree. I was just a means to an end for her. Now that Abigail is dead, do with me as you

unmoved, "You've gone to great lengths for her, yet she regarded you as expendable. Yet,

knew how deep Declan could scheme. He must harbor some

"Name the person, and I'll grant you a quick

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

narrowed, but it was

his inner energy, struck his

death confirmed there was indeed such a person, but any

rushed in, shocked at the scene. Draven bowed deeply,