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 Martinez

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

mirror, "I told the guys about you agreeing to

to be the godfather of your two kids. Let's see who dares to mess with

Vivienne was speechless.

she being dragged into

the prison, Leopold

facing his stoic expression, she

body tensed, his hoarse voice breaking through, "She can't be

but threw a photo into

moment Declan saw it, a tumult of emotions flashed in his

observed, slightly raising an eyebrow, "I personally dealt with her. Her body is 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 deed

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

Anna involved, her end would

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

narrowed, "What final step?

hadn't laid a hand on Declan, guessing there was some

wouldn't surface

Declan's voice was

"She spared your life, there must be something you promised her. How could you not know

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

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

means to an end

gone to great lengths for her, yet she regarded you

Declan could scheme. He must harbor some of Abigail's

the person,

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

but it

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

a person, but

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