The Million-Dollar Heart

"Country bumpkin?"

Vivienne arched an eyebrow, an expression that hadn't crossed her face in quite some time.

She surveyed Ramona with a critical eye, noting the girl couldn't be more than twenty. With her doll-like features, it was no wonder she had become an overnight sensation.

It wasn't just the push from her handlers behind the scenes; that pretty face was surely a factor.

Withdrawing her gaze, Vivienne's clear eyes shifted to Dorian. "Dorian, what's going on? Didn't we agree that Kala was to be the face of the new perfume line?"

She paused, noting Dorian's evasive look.

She asked, "You're in trouble, why didn't you talk to me?"

"I will explain everything later, Vivienne," Dorian replied, his face showing distress. "Ms. Grimshaw, this is my daughter. Please be respectful."

After he spoke, he turned to face Ramona with a stern expression.

Something was off.

Vivienne tugged at Percival's sleeve, and without a word, he understood. He gestured to Thomas, indicating he should lean in closer.

Ramona, meanwhile, was visibly irked by Percival's blatant disregard for her, his attention solely on Vivienne.

Her voice dripped with jealousy, "Percival, darling, look at them! I wouldn't have taken this ad gig if it wasn't for your sake. Now, they're all ganging up on me."

Her whiny voice grated on Vivienne's nerves.

scoffed, "Ms. Grimshaw, are you supposed to be some

"You, you country bumpkin! What right do you have

of the entire banquet hall to

murmured among themselves,

on here? Who's calling Ms. Hawthorn

maestro Q, not to mention a renowned fashion designer.

is being called a country bumpkin, what does that make

in with a smirk, "All this talk of country bumpkins. One would think Ms. Grimshaw was some kind of high-born lady." "You,

there. Her face flushed

once so easily bullied in Havenwood, held so many prestigious titles

clenched her teeth in frustration as she said, "You

a dimly lit hospital room, Willa had just finished bathing Karen and was

darkness outside was so thick you could slice it, making it impossible to discern if anyone was

bathroom flickered twice, then

her eyes sharp, kicked open the bathroom door to find nothing but darkness. Without hesitation, she followed the rope that someone had used to climb in

cracked open, letting in a sliver of light. A man cautiously stepped in, making sure Karen was the only other

room flooded with light, and Willa, with lightning-fast reflexes, threw a dagger that pinned the intruder's head to

disturbance did little

glances around the room. "Strange, where did Ramona go? She wouldn't just leave

with a light-hearted tone, "Why?

joking, her demeanor was cool

I wish she'd leave faster. But you