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.

eyebrows knitted together as she scoffed, "Ms. Grimshaw, are you supposed to be some kind of mother hen? Clucking away like you're laying eggs at the Hawthorn family talent

you country bumpkin! What right do

the attention of the entire banquet hall to the

among

going on here? Who's calling Ms. Hawthorn a country

times. Ms. Hawthorn is known as the perfume maestro Q, not to mention a

Ms. Hawthorn is being called a country bumpkin,

chatter didn't escape the group, and Anna chimed in with a smirk, "All this talk of country bumpkins. One

have slapped Vivienne then and there. Her face flushed with a mix of rage and mortification; she regretted not studying Vivienne's

once so easily bullied in Havenwood, held so many

teeth in frustration as she said, "You just wait! I

hospital room, Willa had just finished bathing Karen and was carrying the

darkness outside was so thick you could slice it, making it

the bathroom

kicked open the bathroom door to find nothing but darkness. Without hesitation, she followed the rope

then, the hospital room door cracked open, letting in a sliver of light. A man cautiously stepped in, making sure

the room flooded with light, and Willa, with lightning-fast reflexes,

the minor disturbance did

room. "Strange, where did Ramona go? She

head with a light-hearted tone, "Why? Were you hoping

demeanor was cool

Vivienne's lightheartedness for irritation, hurriedly explained, "No, no. I wish she'd leave faster. But you don't understand, Vivienne.