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.

didn't look for me?"

on it and entered the ward. "How's

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

my mom's soul off her face," Vivienne

it any longer. "Let me take over. You didn't even wring out the cloth properly, and you're getting water into Sasha's

face it, we're both not cut out

was handed over

stormed out of the hospital, running

this photo; it feels off. Take a look." Mara

as he spotted the

did you

in 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 knew my brother wouldn't be so kind to Vivienne for no reason. He's treating her

constructed a novel's worth

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

was fixated

part

in

to get

she couldn't be

Aaron turned

where

going to tell

his way. "No, if you go to Vivienne, wouldn't that be 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 anyone dangerous near

If it were Percival, he'd just click

struck a

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