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.

supposed to be some kind of mother hen? Clucking away like you're laying eggs at the Hawthorn family

anger flared, and she pointed at Vivienne. "You, you country bumpkin! What right do you have to

entire banquet hall to

among themselves, their expressions

Who's calling

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

being called a country bumpkin, what does that make the rest of

a smirk, "All this talk of country bumpkins. One would think Ms. Grimshaw was

Her face flushed with

thought that this woman, once so easily bullied in Havenwood, held so many prestigious titles unknown to

as she said, "You just wait! I won't let you get

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

you could slice it, making it

the bathroom flickered twice, then went

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

of light. A man cautiously stepped in, making sure Karen was the only other person there before advancing with

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

the minor disturbance

around the room. "Strange, where did Ramona go?

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

joking, her demeanor

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