The Million-Dollar Heart

Without a word, Percival stepped forward and yanked the man being pecked at by the parakeet away from Birdie.

The man, powerless against the bird and certainly unable to resist Percival's grip, allowed himself to be escorted to the lounge.

"Old Geezer! Old Geezer!" The parrot squawked triumphantly upon reaching Vivienne, ceasing its pecking frenzy to perch atop the man's head, its tiny head held high in a display of pride as if to say: "Praise me, come on, praise me!"

Fuming, the man plucked Birdie from his head and, gripping its neck, growled menacingly, "You dumb bird, I should've wrung your neck when I had the chance. You ungrateful creature, what made you betray me this time?"

Flapping its wings in a futile attempt to escape, the parrot broke free and landed on Darren's shoulder.

"Chicken tenders, chicken tenders!" It chirped.

Chicken tenders were Birdie's favorite, and Darren had stocked up on them at home, dedicating half the freezer to the bird's preferred snack.

Pounding his fist in frustration, the man lamented, "All for some chicken tenders, Darren? After all these years, couldn't you have spoiled it with something fancier?"

The treacherous bird, selling him out for mere chicken tenders, just like that wretched girl!

Darren, still puzzled, asked, "Excuse me, sir, do we know each other?"

Percival, unfazed, stepped forward and ripped off the man's disguise, revealing his true face.

Darren nearly collapsed in shock.

It was Finnian, Vivienne's elusive mentor whom she had been hunting down for debts!

"Holy smokes! Finnian! Is that really you?"

Although Darren was a mere associate member of the mentorship, having fled the fold soon after joining, Finnian was still his mentor.

by Percival's bold move, Finnian scrambled to cover his face with his elbow, exclaiming, "Wrong guy, you've got the wrong

gritted her teeth fiercely. "Finnian! Put

including Percival and Finnian, was

Vivienne knew she was genuinely

quickly tried to smooth things with a sycophantic smile. "You silly lass, I was just pulling your leg. Why the long face?" "Pulling my leg? You faked your death for this long, and you

hurried to comfort her, "Oh, look at you, shedding precious tears. I'm fine, see? Stop crying, and come check the

Finnian's head, but to everyone's surprise, she

again. You're

tissues and wiping away tears while apologizing profusely, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Oh dear, I haven't seen you in a while, and you've become such a crybaby. Please,

shocked to

Vivienne crying?

Vivienne,

this not entirely out of

Percival lounged casually on the sofa, pulling out a piece of paper and scribbling a few lines before silently sliding it in front of

his disciple, paid no

paper with such speed that Finnian was taken by surprise. Vivienne stopped crying, softly kissed the paper, and flicked away her remaining tears. "Finnian, this

gobsmacked, looked closely at the

IOU for

ungrateful girl, conspiring with this outsider to

IOU, her face devoid of any

And don't you think

And now you're charging me this outrageous interest, you ungrateful child! Oh heavens, why don't you strike me down and save me from this ungrateful girl's treachery? Why is my life filled with such suffering!" Vivienne ignored his dramatics, even taking the time to pour Finnian a glass of water so he would not get hoarse from all the shouting. Percival watched the scene, reminded of