The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the classroom, Aaron slid into a seat near the back, and Kenneth ambled over to join him, idly flipping through a textbook.

Before long, the pair caught snippets of hushed whispers and the occasional snicker from nearby students.

Turning in unison, they spotted a girl seated behind them. Her face bore a deep scar that seemed to draw the cruel curiosity of their classmates.

Aaron’s expression remained impassive as he turned away; such sights were hardly a ty.

But Kenneth could not peel his eyes away, a sense of familiarity nagging at him.

Aaron yanked Kenneth’s head back around. “Dude, can you not stare at every girl you meet?” Kenneth forcibly shifted his gaze back, muttering, “I've only stared at Anna! And this girl, she just looks so familiar. Wait, aren't you Mara?” Kenneth, who had grown up under the care of Cecilia, naturally recognized Mara, though they were never close.

Mara had once looked down on Kenneth for being adopted, echoing Percival’s snooty attitude. It was all rather shameless.

And Kenneth had his own gripes about Mara—her affected airs and constant “big brother” this and “big brother” that had always grated on him.

Although they never clashed openly, there was a silent mutual disdain, with each barely tolerating the other's presence. Without adults around, not trading eye rolls was as cordial as it got.

Mara lifted her head, her surprise at seeing Kenneth fleeting before she masked it with indifference. “Kenneth? What are you doing here?” “That's my line. What happened to your face?” a Kenneth had been away from hand was clueless about the Boyd family’s upheaval.

Mara glanced down, her voice soft. “It’s nothing. You're studying here too?” Kenneth, never having heard Mara speak so meekly, was intrigued. “Yeah, you transferred here? Does Aunt Cecilia know?” “Yeah. I'm here for grad school. My advisor said I've fallen behind, so he recommended | attend sclasses to catch up,” Mara explained, casting a timid glance at Aaron's back.

Though Kenneth found Mara annoying, her current vulnerability softened his usual disregard.

He slung an arm around Aaron's shoulder, introducing them. “This is my friend, Aaron. Say hi.” Aaron shot Kenneth a look of disdain. He was as ignorant of the Boyd family drama as Vivienne would allow him to be. During his tin Sea City, the Nine Mystics Society had not briefed him on such trivial matters.

He nodded politely at Mara. “Hey, class is starting.” His tone left little room for further conversation.

Mara, taking the hint, said to Kenneth, “Let's focus on class for now. We can talk after.” Kenneth nodded, teasing Aaron in a singsong voice, “Hey, hey,” only to receive a sharp kick under the table.

When class ended, Kenneth was sprawled on his desk, asleep. Aaron nudged him awake. “You coming or what?” “Right, right. Hey, Mara, it's lunchtime. Join us?” Mara, new to the place and friendless due to her scar, followed Aaron and Kenneth to the cafeteria.

There, Kenneth finally got the chance to ask her about her situation.

Mara recounted her story, conveniently omitting her misdeeds and painting herself as a pitiable victim.

“I should've never listened to Gillian. | deserved what happened to me, but thankfully, Vivienne didn’t hold a grudge, allowingto start over.” Kenneth nodded thoughtfully. “You owe her big time. You should be knocking your head on the floor in thanks. If | knew they were having trouble in Sea City, I'd have bolted over there. Who do they think they are, making Vivienne upset?” Aaron struggled to eat, irked by Kenneth’s newfound affection. “Since when are you so close to Vivienne?” “None of your business.” Kenneth snatched the last piece of chicken from Aaron’s plate and continued his lecture to Mara.

Aaron was silent, sizing up Mara with a critical eye.

Afterward, Kenneth showed Mara around to help her get familiar with the university. Elite University had changed a lot since Mara’s last stint there.

Aaron, trailing behind them, discreetly called Vivienne to report.

Vivienne laughed. “I'm aware. Don’t worry about her; focus on your studies.” “Vivienne, don’t you wantto teach her a lesson?” Aaron was eager to prove his loyalty.

Since Vivienne handed over the Miller family to Aaron, he had not seen her much, and she rarely replied to his texts.

Now that he knew about Vivienne’s trouble in Sea City, he was keen to retaliate on her behalf. After all, he was certain that Mara’s story was the toned-down version.

But Vivienne’s voice chilled as she rebuked him. “Aaron, you are the head of the Miller family, a leader in the Nine Mystics Society. | gave you that power to enrich yourself, not to squabble with small fry!” Aaron flinched, realizing his mistake. Vivienne would not spare a small fry like Mara a second thought.

It was his zealousness that had clouded his judgment, making him forget his true purpose.

“Sorry, Vivienne,” he apologized, realigning his priorities.

Vivienne took a deep breath, “You need to think long-term, Aaron. Focus on getting the Miller family’s business back on track. Lately, performance has been slipping, and the staff are restless. There are also spower plays happening within the Miller family. As the head of the family, it's your duty to get things in order. Once the hfront is settled, you can focus on your own endeavors.” “Understood, Vivienne,” Aaron replied dutifully.

With that, Vivienne ended the call.

Percival, noting the serious look on Vivienne’s face, could not help but ask, “What kind of trouble has that little rascal stirred up now?” “Little rascal?” Vivienne sighed; Percival always had a sharp tongue when it cto Aaron, almost like a jealous schoolboy.

No wonder Cecilia had called him harsh! But Percival didn’t mind it. Sharp-tongued he was, and sharp-tongued he would be.

After all, he couldn't lay a hand on Aaron, that little rascal. Deep down, he knew Aaron had his sights set on his wife for years, yet he had to let it slide for the sake of his beloved.

How could he not be harsh? When it cto anything involving Vivienne, he was admittedly petty, and what of it? “Mara had lunch with Aaron and Kenneth today. It’s her first day at the university, and she’s already making connections,” Vivienne said, lounging on the couch and resting against Percival’s legs. “She certainly doesn’t lack social skills.” Percival was scrolling through his tablet, reviewing the latest research report on a chip from Griffin Martinez.

Although the progress was modest, it was something at least.

“She can handle herself. No need for us to worry.” Vivienne chuckled. “You could ease up on the harshness, at least while Cecilia's here. Show srespect.” Percival’s fingers paused, and he put down the tablet, planting two quick kisses on Vivienne.

“Every tyou callharsh from now on, I'll just have to kiss you.” Vivienne blinked, amused by the prospect. “Well, aren't | lucky then?” she teased.