The Million-Dollar Heart

The moment Vivienne's words cut through the air, a wave of whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

"Oh, Vivienne's really pushing it with Mr. Ellington's favoritism."

"What can you do? She's pretty, and that goes a long way."

"What goes around comes around. She'll get hers eventually."

The murmurs of discontent piled up as Fiona's gaze darkened.

Vivienne just chuckled and said calmly, "Fine! For Richard's sake, why don't you just apologize?"

"Why should my daughter apologize? You were the one who smeared her design first. You're just a country bumpkin. Do you think marrying into the Ellingtons will change that?"

Heloise could not hold back any longer. Her son had just been rushed to the hospital, his condition unknown, and now her daughter was being humiliated, too? They were shown zero respect! Fiona remained silent. Even if Richard and Percival were on Vivienne's side, they could not silence the court of public opinion.

The tide of sentiment was turning in her favor.

Vivienne glanced disdainfully at Heloise. "What? Your daughter's design can't stand criticism? Heloise, who do you think you are to say my mother should wear flawed jewels?"

Heloise was about to retort when Vivienne cut her off coldly. "Or do you think I can't provide my mother with better jewelry than this?"

"You don't understand anything! Master Jessica personally endorsed my daughter!" Heloise blurted out in her defense, invoking the renowned name.

Fiona's expression darkened, but she said nothing in return.

The words were out. What good would contradicting them do now?

Unexpectedly, Richard said, "I haven't heard about Fiona being endorsed by Master Jessica. Has anyone here actually seen Master Jessica?"

Fiona's face flushed with embarrassment.

Her grandfather had publicly called her out, leaving her humiliated.

She had to face the music, explaining, "Grandpa, it wasn't a big deal, so I never mentioned it to you. I met with Master Jessica recently, and this jewelry set was designed under her guidance." The crowd gasped.

Anyone who knew anything about jewelry recognized that Master Jessica was the pinnacle of the craft.

she had designed a set called 'Dazzling Stars' that

billion dollars to a mysterious buyer,

on, Master Jessica became a

meet Master Jessica and

was suddenly elevated to divine

furrowed. Fiona was good at seizing

to Master Jessica, she

displaying the original prototype jewelry. All eyes were on

silver needle

are you doing?" Fiona yelled, stepping

keep Fiona back, "What's the rush? It's just

Fiona clenched her teeth.

was no match for Percival, she

than half a minute, Vivienne stopped and turned around. The set of jewelry looked

inspection, it was slightly different from

take it apart and put it back together... Wait,

on it, but I like it

design was a bit cluttered and dull, but after this

stunned. This was exactly

How could this be?

crowd said, "It has Master

again, "Yes, the last time I was this

wow factor as 'Dazzling Stars,' mainly because the original design wasn't as impressive. If it were redesigned, it would be so much better." Vivienne glared at Fiona, "This is what a piece touched by Master Jessica looks like. It's a shame it's

at Vivienne in

Was she hearing things?

just imply that she was Master

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible.

be Master Jessica. That was

up on the hint from Vivienne's

really Master

a young woman? Besides, isn't Vivienne known

identity was so multifaceted