The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her lips. “Let’s hear it.”

“If I lose, you owe me a dance,” Percival declared, his eyes holding a depth like the ocean as they fixed

on her luminous, moonlit gaze.

She was stunning, breathtaking. Every time he looked into her eyes, he found beauty that shone with a

graceful light he treasured above all else.

“Deal, I’ll take the bet,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of mischief. Leaning forward, Vivienne’s

soft red lips brushed against Percival’s cheek.

After a moment, she pushed away from him. “The game has started, Mr. Wolf,” she teased before

leaving the rooftop.

Percival touched his cheek, still feeling the ghost of her kiss.

“Just you wait, I’ll get my revenge,” he muttered under his breath.

Down at the gaming arena, the atmosphere was electric, with a massive online audience tuning in. It

was not just the gaming community—people who did not typically watch E-sports were also glued to

their screens for this event. After all, the champion would be a hometown hero no matter who won.

Fans of Team Snake were waving banners with Kenneth’s name, while supporters of Team Hawk were

not far behind, hoisting up large signs rooting for Aaron.

As the players took their seats and the host announced the rules, Vivienne and Percival found their

spots in the stands, eyes fixated on the live feed.

The match kicked off with Kenneth banning Aaron’s go-to hero. Unperturbed, Aaron picked a solid, all-

around choice.

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Vivienne’s lips curved into a knowing smile. The show was about to begin.

The heroes selected, Aaron played steadily, drawing first blood against Kenneth and clearing his jungle

camps. Kenneth cursed under his breath but rallied, taking Aaron down in a counterattack and even

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snatching Bennett’s red buff.

The match was a back-and-forth dance. Team Snake’s synergy was clear, quickly gaining the upper

hand. But Quentin of Team Hawk had stealthily secured the best position for the dragon. However, with

Callum’s help, Kenneth clinched it.

The tides of battle were apparent. Aaron was still powering up, farming his jungle while letting Fergus

take hits and Bennett feed a couple of kills.

Kenneth was smug. He knew Aaron was not comfortable with his hero and seemed outmatched.

Launching a team fight, Team Snake pushed two turrets on the top lane. On the other side, Bennett

took the opportunity to knock down one of the enemy’s turrets.

Still, Team Snake maintained control.

With the baron now in play, Kenneth took it down, bloodied but unbowed, and they pushed for the high

ground.

Aaron finally made a move, acing Team Snake in a solo slaughter.

Team Hawk rallied, taking down the outer turrets on all lanes.

Due to the baron buff, this was not enough for a comeback.

After regrouping, Team Snake launched an assault on the top lane, using the last of the baron’s power

to reach the nexus.

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Team Hawk fought valiantly but fell short.

The first game went to Team Snake.

The second game started with Hawk banning first, and just like Kenneth, Aaron banned Kenneth’s last

hero yet chose the same hero for himself.

Kenneth had anticipated this move, having trained with different heroes the past few days.

Team Hawk changed tactics, initiating an early team fight—a risky move for any pro player. Engaging in

an all-out team fight without enough net worth was almost suicide.

As they tried to hold mid-lane, Bennett took a detour and snatched the opponent’s red buff, leaving

Callum fuming over his lost treasure.

Percival grinned at Vivienne’s strategy. “Playing mind games, Vivienne?”

Her lips quirked up in response. “My players have nerves of steel.”

Percival squeezed her hand. “No, only I belong to you.”

Vivienne rolled her eyes. Was he really getting jealous now?

On the field, Aaron rampaged through the jungle, securing the dragon and catching Kenneth off guard.

It was clear now that Aaron’s previous performance was a ruse—he knew this hero all too well.

Aaron’s solo rampage continued, culminating in a pentakill with about half health left.

While Hawk seized this moment to push mid all the way to the inhibitor.

In a fit of desperation, Kenneth went for a solo pentakill.

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Percival watched, knowing the end was near. Kenneth had lost his patience again.

Kenneth, now low on health, could only retreat.

But as Team Snake prepared for a comeback, Aaron teleported to the high ground, securing another

solo kill thanks to Lennox’s last-ditch spell before being taken down.

By the time Snake recovered, Hawk had claimed the baron. The final push toppled the nexus.

Kenneth was livid, nearly smashing his computer.

The third game saw Kenneth drawing first and second blood, dominating the jungle, and targeting

Aaron relentlessly.

In the stands, Percival leaned back, his hand intertwined with Vivienne’s.

She patted his shoulder with a feigned comfort that could not hide the twinkle in her eye. “Don’t worry,

Mr. Wolf. Your cleaning gear is all set.”

The outcome was inevitable. Despite a close match, Snake’s composure was shattered.

As the shoutcaster announced, “Victory for Team Hawk,” confetti rained down, fireworks erupted, and

the championship trophy ascended amid cheers.

Team Hawk, the world champions, lifted their trophy high, basking in the glory of their hard-fought

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victory.

The microphone was passed to Aaron, now a legend in his own right, as the crowd erupted in

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Clutching the microphone with hands that could not quite steady themselves, Aaron struggled to

conceal his excitement, his voice wavering and eyes glistening with tears. “This victory, the person we

owe it to the most is our coach!”

Aaron’s gaze swept across the sea of faces below him until he found the one that had become etched

into his memory. “Without her, there would be no ‘us’ today. I wouldn’t have reached these heights. I

just want to say, Coach, thank you. There will always be a place for you in my heart. You are, and

always will be, the most important person to me.”

After his words hung in the air, the room stilled for a few heartbeats before erupting into a frenzy of

cheers.

But was this really just gratitude he was expressing?

It sounded suspiciously like a love confession!

Aaron ducked his head, taking a moment to compose himself before he looked up again, only to find

that Vivienne had vanished from sight.

His grip on the microphone tightened, and a shadow of sadness flickered across his eyes.

“While I have this moment,” Aaron said, his voice dropping to a gravitas that commanded the room’s

attention, “there’s something else I need to announce.”

The buzzing crowd hushed, hanging on his every word.

After a brief pause, Aaron spoke again, each word deliberate and weighted, “After this competition, I

will be retiring along with the entire team!”

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