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

know how tightly the Martinez family guards Griffin. If I dared to elope, they'd skin me alive." Vivienne

rearview mirror, "I told

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

Vivienne was speechless.

being

prison, Leopold

approached Declan alone, facing his stoic expression, she calmly stated, "Stop waiting,

his hoarse voice

but threw

saw it, a tumult of emotions

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

back into a

involved, her end would

"She never

eyes narrowed, "What final step?

hand on Declan, guessing there was some deal between him

this deal wouldn't surface

know," Declan's voice

be something you promised her. How could you not know of this

her grand vision. Anything she couldn't take with her, she'd destroy with her own hands." Vivienne scoffed, knowing

might not, but if this person was chosen by her, or related to

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

gone to great lengths for her, yet she regarded you as

knew how deep Declan could scheme. He must harbor some of Abigail's secrets, deeply

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

world is flawed. After my death, someone

it was too late

energy, struck his own temple, ending his

a person,

scene. Draven bowed