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.

party was being streamed live, and the fans, especially those shipping the

said, Kala and Stephen never missed a chance to fuel their fans'

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

bird, and try picking

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 it comes to

did not bother with the drama and instead whisked Vivienne away

scripts 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

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

Vivienne was unabashedly money-minded.

in the cash, you have my blessing," Vivienne said, blinking away any pretense of

He just gifted 50

over, her expression souring at Mr.

pocket, it seemed like taking wool from the sheep's

Darren's parrot burst into a frenzied chant,

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

the parrot while

and she

but

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

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