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

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

in the rearview mirror, "I told the guys about you agreeing to my request. Let them die of

going to be the godfather of your two kids. Let's see

Vivienne was speechless.

was she being dragged into

prison,

his stoic expression,

hoarse voice breaking through, "She can't

threw a photo into his

a tumult of emotions flashed in

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

remains could be pieced back into a whole was

her end would

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

final step? Who is

hand on Declan, guessing there was some deal

wouldn't surface until the

know," Declan's voice was

life, there must be something you promised her. How could you not know of this

was too arrogant to let anyone else complete her grand vision. Anything she couldn't take

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

looked down, "You're barking up the wrong tree. I was just a means to an end for her. Now that

regarded you as expendable. Yet, here you are, alive. Do you think I'd

He must harbor some of Abigail's secrets,

the person, and I'll grant you

matter? The world is flawed. After my death,

but it was too late to

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

death confirmed there was indeed such a person, but

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