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.

knew Percival

knowingly? Why go for a solo kill on Aaron in game three? You neglected the high ground, focused solely on beating Aaron, and

questions left Kenneth

he knew that they lost mainly because of

his temper get the best of him and disrupted the

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

Aaron just wound up the captain. He's not usually

is wrong, there are no excuses!" Percival bellowed, smashing the marble side table with a slap of his hand. Kenneth had never seen Percival this

Meanwhile, on the rooftop.

medal around

Vivienne understood.

for an

chose this moment

was not just because his old

was the pressure from the

a lot of professional training in his youth and now had to catch up quickly in order to navigate the business world

"Regret? How could I not? It's my passion, my irreplaceable glory, my very own triumph. How could

head, wiping away a tear before looking up again, his face stoic

"If you've made your choice, don't regret it. Life's full

firmly at Vivienne's

enough to know that even if he continued in E-sports, there would come a day to retire. By then, there might

could not allow the Miller family to look down on him. For his mother's sake, he had to

"Go say goodbye to the

you celebrating

her hand dismissively, "No, I've got

Vivienne's retreating figure, the light in his eyes

on, I won't let

rolled out at the

in the back, her mood