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.

and Griffin

If I dared to

mirror, "I told the guys

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

Vivienne was speechless.

she being dragged into

prison,

his stoic expression, she calmly stated, "Stop waiting, Abigail is

those words, Declan's body tensed, his hoarse voice breaking through,

but threw

tumult of emotions

in the research lab. As for any chances of her making a comeback, it's almost nil." The photo had been

pieced back into a whole was debatable. How could

her end

he muttered, "She never made it

"What final step? Who is

hand on Declan, guessing there was

deal wouldn't surface

know," Declan's voice

there must be something you promised

else complete her grand vision. Anything she couldn't take with her, she'd destroy with her own hands." Vivienne scoffed, knowing Declan was deliberately muddling

not, but if this person was chosen by her, or related to her, it's a

tree. I was just a means to an end for her. Now

you as expendable. Yet, here

He must

eyes, "Name the person, and I'll grant you

matter? The world is flawed. After my death, someone else will complete our

it was too

his inner energy, struck his own temple, ending his

there was indeed such a person, but any clues

at the scene. Draven bowed