The Million-Dollar Heart

A week later, at the celebration gala of Betrothed Understud's billion-dollar achievement.

Vivienne, the invisible power behind Rainbow Entertainment, chose to attend the party from the shadows, in keeping with her elusive persona.

However, generous as ever, she gifted a whopping 30 million dollars as a bonus for the film's smashing success.

"Boss, we're talking a billion-dollar hit here! As the lead investor, Rainbow Entertainment is swimming in dough, and you only give out 30 million?" Darren quipped, balancing a parrot on his shoulder, always quick with a joke.

Vivienne had not seen this goofy bird in ages and actually missed it a bit. She reached out to pet it.

But the parrot, now plump and haughty from Darren's care, dodged her hand.

Raising an eyebrow, Vivienne retorted, "That 30 million is coming out of your bonus, Darren. Looks like your feathered friend there is going on a diet!"

The parrot squawked in protest. "Brat! Brat!"

That was the parrot's usual cry upon seeing Vivienne. Whenever it saw Finnian, it would call out, "Old Geezer!"

The parrot had a unique nickname for each disciple, earning it more than a few feather-plucking sessions at the hands of Leopold and the others.

Vivienne tapped the parrot's head. "Pretending you don't see me? You're asking for trouble."

"Boss, it's not my fault it's misbehaving; you can't dock that from my bonus! I've promised my mom I'd cut her off from my expenses. If I lose that bonus, I'll starve!" Darren pleaded. Vivienne, pretending not to hear, ignored him completely.

That would teach him to be cheeky.

"Stirring up trouble with the boss again?" Kala sauntered over in a matching outfit with Stephen, the on-screen couple from the film.

the fans, especially those shipping the lead

Stephen never missed a chance to fuel their fans' fantasies

me out, Kala. I can't afford to lose that bonus!" Darren passed the parrot to her. "If you speak up

rolled her eyes. "Keep your dumb bird, and try picking a decent

names: the parrot was "Birdie," his sheepdog

pleadingly at Stephen, who simply cupped his ears, "Sorry, bro. When it comes to the boss, my

the drama and instead whisked Vivienne away to

pick carefully. The fame from this last project was hard-won, and once

in her employees' careers as long as they made money, that was all that mattered

Vivienne was unabashedly money-minded.

have my blessing," Vivienne said, blinking away any pretense of not being a slave to the almighty dollar. Suddenly, a gasp

my God, it's Mr. Ellington! He just

her expression souring at Mr. Wolf's

that donation would eventually land in her pocket, it seemed like taking wool from the sheep's back.

to greet him when Darren's parrot burst

was reserved for Finnian, whom the parrot would recognize by scent, no matter the

see everyone marveling at the parrot

clenched, and she called

clueless but obedient,

kept up its chant, driving Darren to muffle its beak. "Shut it, you dumb bird! There is no old geezer here, just young men and ladies. Don't make enemies for me."

members wearing the same uniform scattered in all