The Million-Dollar Heart

Aaron eyed Kenneth with a frosty gaze.

"Spit it out. I don't have all day for your blather," he said, not in the mood for Kenneth's usual nonsense.

Kenneth fell silent momentarily, then muttered, "Word on the street is you played the hero for Vivienne. Right now, my brother Percival is probably playing doctor with her in the hospital room; might as well be swapping spit already."

Aaron bolted upright, nearly tearing his stitches. "What did you say? Vivienne is so young. Has Percival no shame?"

"Oh, don't pin it on my brother. It's Vivienne who's been throwing herself at him!" Kenneth's face darkened instantly.

"Bullshit!" Aaron snapped back.

"I don't spout crap like you do!" Kenneth retorted coldly.

Aaron took a breath, trying to keep his cool. "What exactly do you want to tell me?"

Kenneth glanced back at the closed door of the ward, then leaned in closer to Aaron as if sharing a secret.

Aaron pushed him away, disgusted. "We're alone in here. Just get to the point."

"What if we team up to keep Vivienne away from my brother? What do you say?" Kenneth was not skulking around anymore; he had had this idea for quite some time.

Aaron's actions had proved his deep feelings for Vivienne, making him the perfect ally in Kenneth's plot to break her away from Percival.

Aaron eyed Kenneth skeptically. "Team up? How?"

They whispered back and forth until Mark strolled in with a doctor.

Kenneth's presence surprised Mark as much as Bennett and the others earlier.

"Kenneth, here to see Aaron, are you? Thanks for caring," Mark said, the picture of warmth.

Mark's return, it was Kenneth's cue to

Aaron on the shoulder, "No need for formalities, we're all

shoved him off, eager for him to leave. "Get out

shooting Aaron meaningful glances, his eyes saying,

if teaming up

Kenneth said,

Aaron a thorough

the bed, he looked at his son with concern. "Don't be so reckless next time. What if something serious had

say our family's top priority is to ensure Vivienne's safety? That's what matters most," Aaron said nonchalantly, seeing his father more as a means to an end to become the Miller family heir and

you're not the one to protect

as he never intended to

birthday bash, right?"

"Yes, what about

you," Aaron said, a subtle gleam in his

surprised. "You

challenged, "Or do you think my status as

grand affair in the Ellington family,

many

attend, surprising and delighting Mark, who said, "I didn't mean

agree, Aaron closed the topic

he stayed silent, aware that Aaron was not

more time to heal, and even though Vivienne had mended his leg, proper rest was critical

your chauffeur now, Mr. Ellington? Are you short on chauffeurs?" Leopold bristled at

at him coolly. "What's the problem? You used to drive

was different!" Leopold fumed, "Back then, I didn't know you were whisking away Vivienne. Now that I know, you expect

watch them kiss

His patience had limits!

restraint

now to be