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.

those shipping the lead pair, would not miss it

Darren often said, Kala and Stephen never missed a chance to fuel

passed the

bird, and try picking a

was notorious for his lack of creativity with names: the parrot was "Birdie," his sheepdog "Pooch,"

at Stephen, who simply cupped his ears, "Sorry, bro.

not bother with the drama and instead whisked Vivienne away to

for me to consider. I want to pick carefully. The fame from this last project was hard-won, and once we wrap up, Stephen and my on-screen romance will end. So, I'm thinking my next role should be a solo act—what do you

long as they made money, that was all that

Vivienne was unabashedly money-minded.

with your agent. As long as it brings in the cash, you have my blessing," Vivienne said, blinking away any pretense of not being a slave to the almighty dollar.

my God, it's Mr. Ellington! He

her expression souring at Mr. Wolf's

in her pocket, it seemed like taking wool from the sheep's back. She would need to

was about to greet him when Darren's parrot burst into a frenzied chant, "Old Geezer!

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

everyone marveling at the parrot while one figure quietly slipped away in the opposite

she

clueless but

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." The parrot

next moment, all the crew members wearing