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.

together as she scoffed, "Ms. Grimshaw, are you supposed to be some kind of mother hen? Clucking away

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

the attention of the entire banquet hall to the unfolding

guests murmured among themselves,

calling Ms. Hawthorn

with the times. Ms. Hawthorn is known as the perfume maestro Q,

accomplished as Ms. Hawthorn is being called a country bumpkin, what does

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

Her face flushed with a mix of rage and mortification;

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

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

room, Willa had just finished bathing Karen

thick you could slice it, making it impossible

lights in the bathroom flickered

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

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

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

at the party, the minor disturbance

room. "Strange, where did Ramona go? She wouldn't

head with a light-hearted

joking, her demeanor was

for irritation, hurriedly explained, "No, no. I wish she'd leave faster. But you don't understand, Vivienne. Ramona is not as simple