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

high ground, focused solely

questions left Kenneth

that they lost mainly because

get the best of him and disrupted

of everything else. Otherwise, in terms of teamwork alone, even if Hawk had won, it

just wound up the captain. He's

hand. Kenneth had never seen Percival this angry before and had a

Meanwhile, on the rooftop.

Aaron touched the medal around his neck, his face devoid

Vivienne understood.

prime age for an E-sports

chose this moment

was not just because his old teammates were

main factor was the pressure from the Miller

missed out on a lot of professional training in his youth and now had to catch up quickly in order to navigate

let out a bitter laugh. "Regret? How could I not? It's my passion, my irreplaceable glory, my very own triumph. How could

away a tear before looking

don't regret it. Life's full of crossroads, but the

nodded firmly at Vivienne's

would come a day to retire. By then, there might be no place for him in the Miller

Miller family to look down on him. For his mother's sake, he had to

saying, "Go

you celebrating with

walked away, she waved her hand

Vivienne's retreating figure, the light in his eyes

I've regretted it once. From now on, I won't let myself regret again!" He

rolled out at the Centurial

the