The Million-Dollar Heart

Scott suddenly grabbed Calista's neck, pulling her roughly toward him as his eyes blazed with a chilling intensity.

"No? Then you'll die for it!"

Calista's eyes reddened with fear, and tears streamed down her face instantly.

She knew Scott was serious-he would undoubtedly let her die.

Disgusted, Scott pushed Calista away and wiped his hands with a tissue. "Brody has bugged you. Get back to the lab tomorrow, work on that virus with TIC Research Institute, and don't screw up." Calista nodded in understanding. "Yes, I've got it."

Scott gave Calista a cold glance that carried the same annoyance as he felt with her mother.

Then, donning his mask, he stood up and left. He still had to track down Rowan and Ismene. Those two had betrayed the organization, and they would not be forgiven.

In the restaurant, Vivienne bit into a juicy steak, scrolling through messages on her phone.

[Vivienne, Timothy's fine. The Brooks family business is a bit messy, but Baron's in charge, so it's stable. Timothy's been auditing the company accounts lately.]

While chewing on her steak, Vivienne replied. [If Timothy's alright, then check on Carl. Make sure their whole family's safe.]

Matthew responded promptly. [On it.]

Vivienne was engrossed in her phone, oblivious to Percival's longing gaze from across the table.

It was not until Vivienne reached for the next dish that she noticed Percival's eager eyes.

"Mr. Wolf, do I look that appetizing to you?"

A shadow flickered in Percival's eyes, which seemed to linger on Vivienne. "Yes, you do look quite appetizing."

"Then eat up. You've got a match this afternoon." Vivienne forked some salad into her mouth.

Percival raised an eyebrow. "You know?"

Vivienne glanced up. "Snake lost their championship chance in the team match three years ago, but a month later, they came back and took six titles in a row. There's no way they did that by themselves." After all, as Hawk's top coach, Vivienne knew all about the history of her old rival, Snake.

blood compared to Hawk, still

Bennett and his team could outplay many

now and Hawk's lack of funds

Snake had the backing of Kenneth's financial empire, willing to spend and nurture talent. With a mysterious coach joining three years ago, they quickly surpassed

about this secretive coach. She

Percival,

facing off against

hid his intentions, switching his finely cut steak onto Vivienne's plate and raising his juice glass in a

the salad dressing from the corner of her mouth, her eyes sparkling mischievously. She raised her glass and clinked it

teams for the group stage were announced on the first day

the group stage but were not placed

"Tell Aaron we'll see

smile, "Why don't you tell Aaron yourself? I saw you carrying Aaron back to the lounge at lunch. Seems like you're quite close." With that, Bennett left

knew about the tension between Kenneth

now, Kenneth looked like Aaron's "little

about the fiery temper of Kenneth, the young heir of the

Kenneth was so enraged he nearly

a last

his brother get

"Just wait until we meet in the match-your whole team will

from the qualifiers. Vivienne and

reason for Percival to go

some people from distributing business

overthinking it; the one prone to

realize I

it slip, I'd still be in the dark about my dear granddaughters being in danger. Have you become so

ranted, pounding his cane, his

stood silently, not daring to breathe too loud while his father

family is cursed, always

and his

of something