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 pair, would not miss

missed a chance to fuel their fans' fantasies and boost

Darren passed the parrot to her. "If you speak up for me, Birdie's

"Keep your dumb bird, and try

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

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

drama and instead whisked Vivienne away

got a few scripts for me to consider. I want to pick carefully. The fame from this last project was hard-won, and once

as they made money,

Vivienne was unabashedly money-minded.

my blessing," Vivienne said, blinking away any pretense of not being a slave to the

God, it's Mr. Ellington! He just

her expression souring

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

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

was reserved for Finnian, whom the parrot would

the parrot while one figure quietly slipped away in the

and she called to Percival, "Catch

but obedient, gave

men and ladies. Don't make enemies for me." The parrot only squawked louder, and soon, Percival dragged back

members wearing the same uniform scattered in