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.

streamed live, and the fans, especially those shipping the lead pair, would not miss it

Darren often said, Kala and Stephen never missed a chance to fuel their fans' fantasies and boost

to lose that bonus!" Darren passed the parrot to her. "If you

your dumb bird, and try picking a decent name

was notorious for his lack of creativity with names: the parrot was "Birdie," his sheepdog "Pooch," and his American Shorthair "Kitty." He went straight to the

simply cupped his ears, "Sorry, bro. When it comes to the

bother with the drama and instead whisked Vivienne away to

last project was hard-won, and once we wrap up, Stephen and my on-screen romance will end. So, I'm

careers as long as they made money, that was all

Vivienne was unabashedly money-minded.

have my blessing," Vivienne said, blinking away any

Ellington! He just gifted 50 million-what a

her expression souring

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

about to greet him when Darren's parrot burst into a frenzied chant,

the parrot would recognize by

spun around to see everyone marveling at the parrot while one figure quietly slipped away in the

fist clenched, and she called to Percival,

but

is no old geezer here, just young men and

next moment, all the crew members wearing the same uniform scattered