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

she pointed at Vivienne. "You, you country bumpkin! What

the attention of the entire banquet hall to the unfolding scene between Vivienne, Dorian,

guests murmured among themselves, their

on here? Who's calling Ms. Hawthorn a

known as the perfume maestro Q, not to mention a renowned fashion designer. How can she be

Ms. Hawthorn is being called a country bumpkin,

"All this talk of country bumpkins. One would think Ms. Grimshaw was some kind of

it weren't for the restrictions of the setting, Ramona would have slapped Vivienne then and there. Her face flushed with a

so easily bullied in Havenwood, held so many prestigious

clenched her teeth in frustration as she said, "You just

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

could slice it, making it

bathroom

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

room door cracked open, letting in a sliver of light. A man cautiously stepped in, making sure Karen was the only other person there before advancing with a syringe aimed at her exposed

room flooded with light, and Willa, with lightning-fast reflexes, threw a dagger that

minor disturbance did little to dampen the

"Strange, where did

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

demeanor

I wish she'd leave faster. But you