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

If I dared to elope, they'd skin me alive." Vivienne narrowed her eyes, "Then what's with

started the car, smiling at Vivienne in the rearview mirror, "I told

the godfather of your two kids.

Vivienne was speechless.

being dragged

prison, Leopold waited

facing his stoic expression,

body tensed, his hoarse voice breaking through,

nothing but threw a photo into

saw it, a tumult of emotions flashed in

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

could be pieced back into a whole

Anna involved, her end would be

darkened as he muttered, "She never made it to the

narrowed, "What final step?

hand on Declan, guessing there

wouldn't surface

Declan's voice

must be something you promised her.

couldn't take with her, she'd destroy

this person was chosen by her, or related to her, it's a

just a means to an end for her. Now that

you as expendable. Yet, here you are, alive.

scheme. He must harbor some of Abigail's secrets,

the gleam in her eyes, "Name the

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

but it was too late

with the last of his inner energy, struck his own temple, ending his life

there was indeed such a person, but any clues to their

shocked at the scene. Draven bowed deeply, "My apologies, we failed