The Million-Dollar Heart

In the classroom, Aaron slid into a seat near the back, and Kenneth ambled over to join him, idly flipping through a textbook.

Before long, the pair caught snippets of hushed whispers and the occasional snicker from nearby students.

Turning in unison, they spotted a girl seated behind them. Her face bore a deep scar that seemed to draw the cruel curiosity of their classmates. Aaron's expression remained impassive as he turned away; such sights were hardly a novelty.

But Kenneth could not peel his eyes away, a sense of familiarity nagging at him.

Aaron yanked Kenneth's head back around. "Dude, can you not stare at every girl you meet?"

Kenneth forcibly shifted his gaze back, muttering, "I've only stared at Anna! And this girl, she just looks so familiar. Wait, aren't you Mara?"

Kenneth, who had grown up under the care of Cecilia, naturally recognized Mara, though they were never close.

Mara had once looked down on Kenneth for being adopted, echoing Percival's snooty attitude. It was all rather shameless.

And Kenneth had his own gripes about Mara-her affected airs and constant "big brother" this and "big brother" that had always grated on him.

Although they never clashed openly, there was a silent mutual disdain, with each barely tolerating the other's presence. Without adults around, not trading eye rolls was as cordial as it got. Mara lifted her head, her surprise at seeing Kenneth fleeting before she masked it with indifference. "Kenneth? What are you doing here?"

"That's my line. What happened to your face?"

Kenneth had been away from home and was clueless about the Boyd family's upheaval.

Mara glanced down, her voice soft. "It's nothing. You're studying here too?"

Kenneth, never having heard Mara speak so meekly, was intrigued. "Yeah, you transferred here? Does Aunt Cecilia know?"

"Yeah. I'm here for grad school. My advisor said I've fallen behind, so he recommended I attend some classes to catch up," Mara explained, casting a timid glance at Aaron's back.

annoying, her

shoulder, introducing them. "This is

Vivienne would allow him to be. During his time in Sea City, the Nine Mystics Society had not briefed him

politely at Mara.

tone left little room for

taking the hint, said to Kenneth, "Let's focus on class for now. We

"Hey, hey," only to receive a sharp kick under

sprawled on his desk, asleep. Aaron nudged him awake. "You coming or

right. Hey, Mara, it's lunchtime. Join

the place and friendless due to her scar, followed Aaron and Kenneth

Kenneth finally got the chance to ask her about her

story, conveniently omitting her misdeeds and painting herself as

listened to Gillian. I deserved what happened to me, but thankfully,

time. You should be knocking your head on the floor in thanks. If I knew they were having trouble in Sea City, I'd have bolted over there. Who do they think

newfound affection. "Since when are

the last piece of chicken from Aaron's

silent, sizing up Mara

familiar with the university. Elite University had changed

them, discreetly called

Don't worry about her; focus on

a lesson?" Aaron was eager

to Aaron, he had not seen her much, and she rarely replied to his

knew about Vivienne's trouble in Sea City, he was keen to retaliate on her behalf. After all, he was certain that Mara's story was the toned-down

you are the head of the Miller family, a leader in the Nine Mystics Society. I gave you that power to enrich yourself, not to squabble with

that had clouded his judgment, making him forget

apologized, realigning

track. Lately, performance has been slipping, and the staff are restless. There are also some power plays happening within the