The Million-Dollar Heart

The world champion announced his retirement the moment he lifted the trophy, sending shock waves through the competitive gaming community. Aaron's retirement news hit the trending lists instantly, outshining even Hawk's victory celebration in terms of online explosion.

Yet, the person who took it the hardest was Kenneth.

"Dammit, he wins, and then he quits? How is that any different from those jerks who ghost you after a one-night stand!" Kenneth raged.

Callum tried to reason. "Dude, that... Might not be the best analogy."

Kenneth shot him a glare that could scorch the earth. "Well then, genius, you tell me how to put it!"

The room fell silent, fearing Kenneth's wrath. Seething, Kenneth grabbed his phone and called Aaron, unleashing a tirade that lasted a solid ten minutes without repeating a single insult. Aaron, however, said nothing, hanging up the phone as soon as Kenneth took a breath.

Kenneth stared at his phone, the tone droning in his ear, his face so dark that even the devil would steer clear.

Callum instinctively scooted back.

They all knew Kenneth was at his most terrifying, not when he was shouting but silent like this.

Kenneth's grip on his phone whitened his knuckles.

Suddenly, with a loud crash, Kenneth slammed his phone to the ground and spun around, intent on confronting Aaron.

But standing behind him, more menacing than Hades himself, was Percival.

"Bro," Kenneth immediately lowered his head, "I screwed up, punish me whatever way you want."

Percival sat down, his long legs crossed, leaning back casually on the couch. He looked up and asked, "What did you do wrong?"

"I embarrassed you."

Percival's eyes flashed coldly. "You still don't realize what you did wrong, and you have the nerve to settle scores with Aaron?"

Kenneth flinched as if struck.

Percival was furious

kill on Aaron in game three? You neglected the high ground, focused solely on beating Aaron, and ignored the rest. Have all my words these past few days

questions left

he knew that they lost mainly because of

of him and disrupted the team's synergy, allowing

yet he was so provoked by Aaron that he lost sight of everything else. Otherwise, in terms of teamwork alone, even if Hawk had won, it would not have been such an easy victory. Kenneth was chastised into silence while the rest of Team Snake members tried

just wound up the captain. He's not

a slap of his hand. Kenneth had never seen Percival

Meanwhile, on the rooftop.

medal around his

Vivienne understood.

for an E-sports player, the

he chose this

not just

was the

in his youth and now had to catch up quickly in order to navigate the business world with ease. "Regret it?"

laugh. "Regret? How could I not? It's my passion, my

a tear before looking up again, his face

"If you've made your choice, don't regret it. Life's full of crossroads, but the path is yours

nodded firmly

that even if he continued in E-sports, there would come a day to retire. By then, there might be no place for him in the Miller family. He

allow the Miller family to look down on him. For his mother's sake,

"Go say goodbye to the team

aren't you celebrating with

waved her hand

watched Vivienne's retreating figure, the light

now on, I won't let myself regret again!" He declared

rolled out at the Centurial E-sport Hotel

in the back, her