The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Mara gasped, thinking, “Aaron is such a... a sucker for love, isn’t he? A real bleeding heart, the patron saint of lost causes. Even the good ol’ boy scout would tip his hat to him!” “It's not like it's entirely his fault, you know. There's been a bit of a mix-up. I'm not even sure if you can call it that. But apparently, Percival’s high school sweetheart, the one who got away, has cback into the picture.

Sadly, she’s fallen ill, sought out Percival, and, of course, his heart's just bleeding for her. He's been doing the hospital dash non-stop.

Oh, and get this: he even had Vivienne step in for surgery. You know Vivienne is the Specter Healer. Bet she agreed to it in a heartbeat.” Aaron clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. “What did you say? The one who got away? | thought Vivienne was Percival’s first love!” Mara couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter. “You can’t be serious. My brother's way past that age. His first love, Vivienne? Con, it's an open secret in our family. Don’t believe me? Go check out the hospital yourself.

That ‘one who got away’ is currently in the VIP ward of my brother’s hospital, getting the royal treatment.” “What's her name?” Aaron's voice was dark as storm clouds, his words almost grinding through his teeth.

Mara took a sip of her coffee, feigning ignorance. “What's that?” Aaron’s hand slammed down on the table, causing Mara to jump. “Her name! What's the woman’s name?” Startled, Mara nearly spilled her coffee. “Her-Her name’s Karen...” Upon hearing the name, Aaron stormed off toward the hospital.

Mara exhaled, setting down her coffee cup and dabbing at the splatters on the table with a napkin. Her lips curled into a wry smile. “Such a firecracker, that one. Absolutely hilarious.” No sooner had Aaron left than another figure took his place.

Mara turned and let out a scoff. “Well, if it isn’t the stray dog kicked to the curb by Vanguard Agency. What's the matter, got too much free ton your hands now?” The woman opposite her was Gillian. But today, Gillian was different. She didn’t bite back at Mara’s sharp tongue.

“Mara, when will you guys quit this pointless banter? As your boss, it’s quite embarrassing, you know.” At her words, Mara stiffened like she'd been struck by lightning, her voice trembling. “Boss, I... | had no idea it was you. I'm so sorry, truly sorry!” The woman with Gillian’s face—F-Poison—gestured for her to sit. “No worries, ignorance is bliss. I'm pretty laid back, don’t be scared.” Mara swallowed hard. Laid back, huh? She had seen firsthand how F-Poison had put Gillian in her place, making her wary of Gillian’s face for a long time.

F-Poison pulled out a tablet and showed her a video. “Look, your younger brother's doing just fine. I'm here to reassure you.” Mara shivered. F-Poison’s presence was anything but reassuring; it was a warning to toe the line.

“Don’t worry, boss. I'm working hard to drive a wedge between Aaron and Vivienne. Aaron's already on his way to the hospital. There will be results soon, rest assured.” As Mara spoke, her voice was a mix of fear and eagerness to please.

F-Poison stirred her coffee absently, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “The hospital? To visit Anna?” “No, it's about a woman named Karen. | heard from my aunt Cecilia that Karen had surgery at the hospital, and Percival has been looking after her. So, | spun a tale about the ‘one who got away’ to make Aaron jealous, and...” “Karen? You're sure her nis Karen?” F-Poison cut her off, a sly grin spreading across her face.

Mara knew nothing of Karen's real identity. Cecilia kept her in the dark, wanting to spare Vivienne any interference. Mara didn’t press; she wasn’t interested anyway.

But now, seeing F-Poison’s expression, curiosity got the better of her.

“Yes, boss. What about it?” she asked.

F-Poison let out a slow chuckle that grew into a full-blown laugh, hands pressing against her stomach as if she had heard the funniest joke.

Mara felt a chill creep up her spine. F-Poison’s laughter was more terrifying than her anger.

Finally, F-Poison composed herself and looked at Mara. “Have Aaron take out that Karen.” “What?” Mara was stunned. “How do | even bring that up?” F-Poison flicked through her phone for a while before showing Mara a photo.

Then, Mara’s phone buzzed with a new message—a photo of Karen working on a virus experiment at GTO, clearly wearing a lab coat and engrossed in her work.

“This is?” “This is Karen. Show this to Aaron, and he’ll understand why he has to take her out.” Mara nodded, still puzzled, as she glanced at the photo on her phone.

Karen was beautiful, eerily resembling Vivienne at first glance.

But when Mara looked up again, F-Poison had vanished.

Mara let out a sigh of relief and, clutching her purse, headed to the hospital.

Inside the hospital, Aaron arrived in a fury, approaching the nurse’s station. “Excuse me, could you tellwhich VIP ward Karen's in? I'm Perc... Mr. Ellington's driver, here to drop something off.” The nurse hadn't given it much thought; after all, visitors for Karen were strictly limited to a few specially designated individuals, and no one else was granted access.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

“It's in the penthouse suite,” the nurse said, handing over a security pass. “Just give your items to the guard on duty.” Aaron took the pass, bemused that there was indeed a Karen here.

“Percival, how could you do this to Vivienne?” Aaron stepped into the elevator, coincidentally joined by a group of young nurses who were also discussing Karen's situation.

“Word is, the chairman is really invested in the patient in the penthouse suite. Apparently, she’s breathtakingly beautiful. I'm dying to know if she’s more attractive than the chairman's fiancée.” “Well, that's anyone's guess,” another nurse chimed in. “But | do know the chairman is definitely giving special attention to that patient. He's been neglecting his best friend, Mr. Sterling, and is practically living in the VIP suite.” “Yeah, and to think he’s got his fiancée personally looking after her. Everyone knows how well he treats his fiancée. If he’s got her playing nurse, this patient must be something special.” “I'm so jealous of those two women. To be so cherished by the chairman—to the point where dying seems worth ie.”