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.

especially those shipping the lead

and Stephen never missed a chance to fuel their fans' fantasies and

that bonus!" Darren passed

"Keep your dumb bird, and try picking a decent name

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

simply cupped his ears, "Sorry, bro. When it comes to the boss, my hands are

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 thinking my next role should

never meddled in her employees' careers as long as they made money, that was all that mattered

Vivienne was unabashedly money-minded.

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. Suddenly, a gasp rippled

it's Mr. Ellington! He just

over, her expression souring at

like taking wool from the sheep's back. She would need to

when Darren's parrot burst

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

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

she called to

clueless but obedient, gave

geezer here, just young men and ladies. Don't make enemies for

the next moment, all the crew members