The Million-Dollar Heart

The chat group was quiet at first, filled with question marks. Then, like a stone thrown into a pond, messages began to flood in.

It was like a bomb had gone off.

Jerry Perez, the second oldest, chimed in: "Leopold, that trick won't work on us!"

Daniel, the third, added: "No offense, Leopold, but you're just not in the same league as us."

Eric, the fourth, joked: "Leopold's definitely got some delusions of grandeur."

Old-man Dawson couldn't believe it: "Has Leopold lost his mind? ... The nerve to say that, did you eat lion's heart and leopard's courage?"

Donald, the sixth, laughed: "Leopold, you're trying to kill us with laughter. If Vivienne would let her kid call you godfather, I'd call you godfather too!" Enzo agreed: "Seconded!"

Larry, the eighth, added: "Seconded +1!"

Gary sent a long voice message, laughing so hard he couldn't even speak.

Leopold, feeling smug, was driving with one hand and replied with a voice message, specifically tagging Donald.

"Come on, Donald, the master is still here. If you call me godfather... that's like shortening my life!"

"And if you dared, I wouldn't dare accept."

The group went silent.

Then, Old-man Dawson sent a message, "Leopold, did Vivienne confirm this herself?"

Leopold couldn't suppress his grin. "Dawson, you too? Would I dare share the news with you guys if Vivienne hadn't agreed?"

With that, Leopold closed his phone, feeling victorious as the group's messages kept coming.

He had secured his position as godfather.

saw Leopold grinning from ear to ear as if he'd stumbled upon

you and Griffin Martinez elope

why are you teasing me too? You know how tightly the Martinez family guards Griffin. If I dared to elope, they'd skin me alive." Vivienne narrowed her eyes, "Then what's with the goofy

the rearview mirror, "I told the guys about you agreeing

going to be the godfather of your two kids. Let's see who dares to mess with me

Vivienne was speechless.

she being dragged

the prison, Leopold waited

Declan alone, facing his stoic expression, she calmly stated, "Stop

words, Declan's body tensed, his hoarse voice

nothing but threw a

tumult of emotions flashed in his

personally dealt with her. Her body is now in the research lab. As for any chances of her making a comeback, it's almost nil." The photo had

Abigail's remains could be pieced back into a whole was

Anna involved, her

muttered, "She never made

eyes narrowed, "What final step? Who is

a hand on Declan, guessing there was some deal between

this deal wouldn't surface until the very

Declan's voice

turned icy, "She spared your life, there must be something you promised her. How could you not know of this person's

complete her grand vision. Anything she couldn't take with her, she'd destroy with her own hands." Vivienne scoffed, knowing Declan was

this person was chosen by

the wrong tree. I was just a means to an end for her. Now that Abigail is dead, do

regarded you as expendable. Yet, here you are, alive. Do

Declan could scheme. He must harbor some

in her eyes, "Name the person, and I'll grant you a

does death matter? The world is