The Million-Dollar Heart

Karen's identity was shrouded in the utmost secrecy; only the highest echelons within the hospital were privy to her details. The nurses and doctors, not privy to such clearance, only knew that Percival had brought in a VIP patient who was also a knockout beauty.

Aaron couldn't bear to listen to the idle gossip any longer. "Have you lost your minds? What's there to admire about someone who's playing the field?"

His sudden outburst startled the two young nurses, who scurried out of the elevator.

Alone in the lift, Aaron fumed over Percival's audacity. How could he let Vivienne wait on his old flame like that? Sick! Despicable! Some people just shouldn't exist!

Upon exiting the elevator, Aaron used his access card to make his way to the penthouse floor. When he encountered the security guard, he flashed the Nine Mystics Society's token.

As a member of the Nine Mystics Society, the guard recognized the emblem of authority and allowed Aaron to pass without question.

"Master Aaron, the young master is not in. Please wait here," one of Percival's men said, assuming Aaron was there to see Vivienne.

Aaron pocketed his token. "It's fine. Don't bother about me. I'm just looking around. No need to tell Vivienne I was here; I don't want to disturb her."

"Understood."

After giving his instructions, Aaron approached the hospital room.

Peering through the glass, Aaron saw Percival tenderly wiping the brow of the woman on the bed with an utterly uncharacteristic gentleness.

So tender, it couldn't possibly be Percival!

No mistake about it: this woman was Percival's first love!

"Percival, you sleaze, one wasn't enough for you, huh? Alright, just you wait!" Aaron cursed inwardly.

He was about to burst in but held himself back. He had to wake Vivienne up first; he couldn't let her be manipulated by this cad any longer! With that thought, he turned and left.

Just as Aaron stepped into the elevator, Vivienne emerged from her office, catching only a glimpse of a retreating figure.

and didn't look for

on it and entered the ward. "How's it going? Did you wipe my

I hope

really have no knack for this kind of work. Let me do it." She took the washcloth Percival had been using, only to find he had only managed to wipe the forehead.

my mom's soul off her face," Vivienne said, wetting the cloth to clean her

me take over. You didn't even wring out the cloth properly, and

face it, we're both not cut out

for Karen was handed

Aaron stormed out of the

up with you. I remembered this photo; it feels off.

hardened as he spotted the obvious GTO emblem on Karen's

did you find

Aaron's demeanor. "I found it in Percival's nightstand. At first, I thought it was Vivienne, but on closer inspection, it's not. I

already constructed a novel's

first love stand-in trope. Tsk, tsk, tsk. She hadn't expected her offhand remark to

fixated on

was part of

was her purpose in coming back this

her to get

be

that, Aaron turned to

where are you off

to

betraying me? I still want to stay in good standing with the Ellington family. Aaron, you can't be so selfish!" "Do you realize how dangerous this 'Karen' is? I can't let

the means. If it were Percival,

a

stood there, contemplating. "Right, I can take care