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.

Finnian scrambled to cover his face

her teeth fiercely. "Finnian! Put

including Percival

Vivienne knew she

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 tell me it was a joke?" Vivienne stood up, her eyes brimming with tears as she glared

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

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

You're

I'm sorry! Oh dear, I haven't seen you in a while, and you've become such

shocked to utter a

Vivienne crying?

Vivienne,

not entirely out

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

pacifying his disciple, paid no heed to Percival's

the weeping Vivienne suddenly grabbed Finnian's hand, sliced his finger just enough to draw blood, and pressed it onto the paper with such speed that Finnian was taken by surprise. Vivienne stopped

gobsmacked, looked closely

IOU for 80

ungrateful girl, conspiring with this outsider to

pocketed the IOU, her face devoid of any sorrow, replaced by

is my fiancé, not an outsider. And don't you think it's fair to add a little interest to that thousand dollars you've owed me for

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