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.

Mara annoying, her current vulnerability softened his

slung an arm around Aaron's shoulder, introducing them. "This is my friend,

disdain. He was as ignorant of the Boyd family drama as Vivienne would allow him to

nodded politely at Mara.

little room for further

to Kenneth, "Let's focus on class for

singsong voice, "Hey, hey,"

class ended, Kenneth was sprawled on his desk,

Hey, Mara, it's

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

Kenneth finally got the chance to ask

conveniently omitting her misdeeds and painting herself as a pitiable

should've never listened to Gillian. I deserved what happened to me,

thoughtfully. "You owe her big time. You should be knocking your head on the floor in thanks. If I knew

newfound affection. "Since

of chicken from Aaron's plate and continued

silent, sizing up Mara

to help her get familiar with the university. Elite

discreetly called Vivienne to

laughed. "I'm aware. Don't worry about her; focus on

want me to teach her a lesson?" Aaron

Aaron, he had

to retaliate on her

rebuked him. "Aaron, 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 small fry!" Aaron flinched, realizing his mistake. Vivienne would not spare

his zealousness that had clouded his judgment, making him forget

apologized, realigning

some power plays happening