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 some great

and Griffin Martinez

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

at Vivienne in the rearview mirror, "I told the

kids. Let's see who dares to mess

Vivienne was speechless.

was she being dragged

the prison, Leopold

approached Declan alone, facing his stoic expression, she calmly

tensed, his hoarse voice

said nothing but threw

a tumult of emotions

research lab. As for any chances of her making a comeback, it's almost nil." The photo had been sent by Anna before the

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

involved, her end would be

muttered, "She never made

eyes narrowed, "What final step? Who

a hand on Declan, guessing there was some deal between him and

deal wouldn't surface

know," Declan's voice was

be something you promised her. How could you not know of

too arrogant to let anyone else complete her grand vision. Anything she couldn't take with her, she'd destroy with her own hands." Vivienne scoffed, knowing Declan was

by her, or related to her, it's a different

"You're barking up the wrong tree. I was just a means to an end for her. Now that Abigail is dead, do with

gone to great lengths for her, yet she regarded you as expendable. Yet, here you are, alive. Do

how deep Declan could scheme. He must harbor some of

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

is flawed. After my death, someone else will complete our