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.

her current vulnerability softened

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

him to be. During his time in Sea

Mara. "Hey,

little room for

Kenneth, "Let's focus on class for now. We

hey," only to receive a sharp kick under the

class ended, Kenneth was sprawled on his desk, asleep. Aaron nudged him awake. "You

right. Hey, Mara,

place and friendless due to her scar, followed Aaron and

Kenneth finally got the chance to ask her about her

her story, conveniently omitting her misdeeds and painting

never listened to Gillian. I deserved what happened to me, but thankfully, Vivienne didn't hold a grudge, allowing me to

I knew they were having trouble in Sea City, I'd have bolted over there. Who do they

irked by Kenneth's newfound affection. "Since

piece of

up Mara with a critical

showed Mara around to help her get familiar with the university. Elite University had changed a lot since Mara's last stint

discreetly called Vivienne to

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

want me to teach her a lesson?" Aaron was eager

the Miller family to Aaron, he had not seen her

in Sea City, he was keen to retaliate on her behalf. After all, he was certain that Mara's story was the

voice chilled as she 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.

clouded his judgment, making him

he apologized,

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