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

know how tightly the Martinez family guards Griffin. If I dared to elope, they'd skin me alive." Vivienne narrowed her eyes,

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

godfather of your two kids. Let's

Vivienne was speechless.

she being dragged

prison, Leopold waited

alone, facing his stoic expression, she calmly

body tensed, his hoarse voice breaking

said nothing but threw a

it, a tumult

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

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

her end

muttered, "She never made it

eyes narrowed, "What final step? Who

laid a hand on Declan, guessing there was

deal wouldn't surface until

don't know," Declan's voice was

your life, there must be something you promised her.

too arrogant to let anyone else complete her grand vision. Anything she couldn't take with her, she'd destroy with her own hands." Vivienne scoffed, knowing Declan was

not, but if this person was chosen by her, or

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

you as expendable.

scheme. He must harbor some

the person, and I'll grant you a

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

narrowed, but it was too late

last of his inner energy, struck his

person, but any clues to their identity were now

rushed in, shocked at the scene.