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.

bold move, Finnian scrambled to cover his face with his elbow, exclaiming, "Wrong guy, you've got

fiercely. "Finnian!

room, including Percival and Finnian, was taken

familiar with Vivienne knew she was genuinely

lass, I was just pulling your leg. Why the long face?" "Pulling my leg?

pang of guilt seeing her cry and hurried to comfort her, "Oh, look at you, shedding precious tears. I'm fine, see? Stop crying, and come check the injury that dumb bird inflicted on me; it hurts like

standing up to inspect Finnian's head, but to everyone's surprise, she suddenly burst into

You're

Oh dear, I haven't seen you

shocked to

Vivienne crying?

Vivienne, weeping

entirely

pulling out a piece of paper and scribbling a

busy pacifying his disciple, paid

onto the paper with such speed that Finnian was taken by surprise. Vivienne stopped crying, softly kissed

looked closely at the

an IOU for 80

ungrateful girl, conspiring with this outsider to swindle

any sorrow, replaced by a sly and

think it's fair to add a little interest

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 his grandfather. It seemed that the older generation all fancied playing the mischievous