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 Martinez elope

"Vivienne, why are you teasing me too? You know how tightly the Martinez family guards Griffin. If

car, smiling at Vivienne in the rearview mirror, "I told the guys about you

your two kids. Let's see who

Vivienne was speechless.

she being

prison, Leopold waited

alone, facing his stoic expression, she

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

nothing but threw

moment Declan saw it, a tumult

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

back into a whole was debatable. How could

involved, her end would be

darkened as he muttered, "She never made it to

eyes narrowed, "What final step? Who is

Declan, guessing there was

surface until

don't know," Declan's voice was

something you promised her. How could you not know of

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

this person was chosen by

was just a means to an end for her.

remained unmoved, "You've gone to great lengths for her, yet she regarded you as expendable. Yet, here you are, alive. Do you think

knew how deep Declan could scheme. He must harbor some of

her eyes, "Name the person, and

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

narrowed, but it was too late to

his inner energy, struck his own temple,

was indeed such a person, but

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