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

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

Vivienne in the rearview mirror, "I told the guys about you agreeing to

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

Vivienne was speechless.

she being dragged into

the prison, Leopold waited

facing his stoic expression, she calmly stated, "Stop waiting, Abigail

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

threw a photo

saw it, a tumult of emotions

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

a

Anna involved, her end would

he muttered, "She never made it to the

"What final step? Who

laid a hand on Declan, guessing there

wouldn't surface until the very

don't know," Declan's voice

gaze turned icy, "She spared your life, there must be something you promised

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

was chosen by her, or

just a means to an end for her. Now that

she regarded you as expendable. Yet,

could scheme. He must harbor

the person, and I'll grant

The world is flawed. After my death, someone else will complete our

it was too late to

energy, struck his own temple, ending his life

person, but any clues to

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