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 Griffin Martinez elope

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

told

of your two kids. Let's see who dares

Vivienne was speechless.

was she being dragged into

prison, Leopold

expression,

body tensed, his hoarse

threw a photo into his

saw it, a tumult of emotions flashed

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 was

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

involved, her

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

narrowed, "What final step? Who is

Declan, guessing there was some deal between

deal wouldn't surface until

don't know," Declan's

there must be something you promised her. How could you not know

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 deliberately muddling

if this person was chosen by her, or related to her,

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

for her, yet she regarded you as expendable. Yet, here you are, alive. Do you

Declan could scheme. He

the gleam in her eyes, "Name the person, and I'll grant you

world is

eyes narrowed, but it was too late

last of his inner energy, struck

death confirmed there was indeed such a person, but any clues to their identity were now

the scene. Draven bowed deeply, "My apologies,