The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Kenneth swallowed hard, quickening his pace to catch up with Percival.

“Bro, what the heck is going on? Isn’t our home security top-notch? How could someone leave this on

our doorstep? Should I tell Grandpa?”

Percival suddenly stopped in his tracks, causing Kenneth to crash into his broad shoulders. His nose

stung, and tears streamed down his face without warning.

Rubbing his nose, Kenneth muttered, “Bro, what was that for?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be at practice today?” Percival asked, his tone indifferent.

“Aw, crap!” Kenneth nearly forgot. Reminded by Percival, he hurriedly changed into his gear, grabbed

his backpack, and dashed off.

Finally, Percival had some peace and quiet. He sat back on his bed, contemplating the gorgeous

weather outside. It would be a shame not to go out and enjoy it.

[Vivienne, let’s go out on a date!] He texted.

Vivienne had just woken up. Seeing the message on her phone, she chuckled and replied, [Suspended

and still in the mood for fun?]

[Yeah, a rare break from the grind.]

Stretching lazily, Vivienne sat up, about to agree, when another message came through.

It was a top-secret code.

Her fingers flew over the screen, deciphering the message. It was Quincy!

After all her time undercover at GTO, this was her first direct communication.

[The boss is back; orders are to hit the Miller family!]

Vivienne narrowed her eyes. GTO had set their sights on the Miller family?

Or did they think the Millers were holding Belle?

The Miller family had always been under the protection of the Nine Mystics Society. It was not

surprising that GTO had caught wind of them. They did not deserve to have lasted this long if they

could not even sniff out that much.

But that was all they would find.

[Mr. Wolf, it looks like our date is off.] Vivienne texted back.

Percival sighed and replied, [Alright, then it’s an adventure we’ll go on.]

Vivienne smiled, notified Matthew to gather a few of the guys nearby, and then set the rendezvous at

Elite University.

If GTO aimed to find Belle through the Miller family, Aaron would be the first target. He was the Millers’

heir apparent and Mark’s Achilles’ heel.

Kidnapping Aaron would be the most effective, most swift move.

At Elite University, Anna got Vivienne’s message and approached Aaron.

“Aaron, about the group project announced by the professor, let’s partner up,” Anna said, her hair

neatly tied in a ponytail, sporting jeans and a white shirt – a bit of Vivienne’s style was there.

Aaron blinked, taking a moment to recognize Anna, the most inconspicuous girl in class, the one who

had ridden in Vivienne’s car.

Before Aaron could respond, some guys nearby started to tease, “This is the first time I’ve heard that

mu… Anna talk to anyone. You’re a lucky guy, Aaron.”

The student meant to say she was as quiet as a mute but thought better of it and corrected himself.

Anna glanced at them coolly, offering no explanation.

Aaron gave the guys a stern look. Owing to Vivienne’s sake, he did not decline.

He had meant to ask Anna about her relationship with Vivienne, but she always disappeared after

class, as if she did not exist. He had nearly forgotten about her.

“Alright, let’s team up. We can talk at the cafe,” Aaron said, picking up his backpack and walking

alongside Anna.

Both ignored the knowing smirks of the others.

The cafe at Elite University, an open library space, was more conducive to discussion than the main

library.

Aaron ordered two lattes. “Is this okay for you?”

“Yeah,” Anna replied, taking out her books. “Just share your ideas. I’ll follow your lead, and we’ll nail

this group project.”

Her main task, though, as assigned by Vivienne, was to protect Aaron.

Aaron noticed Anna’s eyes, behind her thick-framed glasses, scanning outside like a vigilant panther

ready to pounce.

Aaron was smart; sitting beside Anna, he pretended to study but whispered, “Vivienne sent you, didn’t

she?”

Anna lifted her eyes slightly, neither confirming nor denying.

That was enough for Aaron.

His heart raced with excitement. “What does Vivienne want you to do?”

He had not heard from Vivienne since their last encounter, and his messages had been met with

scarce and terse replies, if any.

He wanted to reach out but did not know how to approach Vivienne and was afraid of intruding on her

life.

Anna lowered her gaze, tapping the book on the table, saying, “She wants you to focus on your

studies!”

Why did he have to talk so much?

“I know about Vivienne’s world. If there’s a mission, I can…”

Anna clenched her fists. “Shut up!”

Aaron wisely closed his mouth, realizing he had said too much.

But with Vivienne involved, he could not help but get worked up. His excitement soon subsided under

Anna’s subtle ire.

They discussed the group project when suddenly, a shadow fell across the window in front of them.

They both looked up, Anna’s pen poised to strike.

But the sight nearly took their breath away.

Kenneth’s face was plastered against the glass, eyes fixed on Aaron.

Aaron cursed under his breath. “Are you out of your freaking mind?”

Kenneth could not hear through the glass, but seeing Aaron’s reaction, he walked in from the entrance

and plopped down beside him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Aaron, you got a girlfriend?”

“What the hell are you doing here?” Aaron snapped, annoyed at the intrusion.

Anna’s guard was down, and she settled into a semblance of peace.

Leaning on his chin, Kenneth mused, “Next week, our junior teams are going head-to-head on the field,

and it’s all happening at your stomping ground, Elite University. I’m dropping by to check it out.”

Aaron was aware of the impending match; Bennett had filled him in long ago, so he paid little mind to

Kenneth’s ramblings.

But Kenneth, restless and bored, blurted out, “Hey, how about I treat you guys to dinner? Better than

just sitting around here doing nothing.”

“No, thanks.”

“Come on! I offer a free meal, and you make a fuss?” Kenneth complained, pulling Aaron to his feet.

His real motive was to fish for info on Vivienne’s coaching strategy. He could have asked outright, but

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Unable to match Kenneth’s strength, Aaron gave in, and Anna, aware of Kenneth’s reputation, realized

she could not just throw a punch. Reluctantly, she followed.

She discreetly sent Vivienne a message with the location of their dinner.

[Got a tail?] Vivienne texted back.

[All clear.] Anna replied.

Vivienne and Percival were en route to Elite University, but upon reading Anna’s message, they

rerouted, heading to the restaurant where Aaron and company were headed.

Meanwhile, behind Kenneth’s car, a silent motorcycle followed, unnoticed by all.

Even Anna, in the car, was oblivious to the lurking presence.

Kenneth had just pulled up to the restaurant and was about to unbuckle his seat belt when the

passenger-side window shattered with a loud pop!

“Damn it!” Kenneth cursed. “This is my brother’s new gift to me. Who the hell is smashing my car?”

As he was about to step out, Anna forcefully held him back in his seat, “Drive!”

“How the hell am I supposed to drive?” Kenneth was flabbergasted, taken aback by the unexpected

strength of this young woman.