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.

Grimshaw, are you supposed to be some kind of mother hen? Clucking away like you're laying eggs

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

the entire banquet hall to the

guests murmured among themselves, their expressions

on here? Who's calling Ms. Hawthorn a

Q, not to mention a renowned

accomplished as Ms. Hawthorn is being called a country

escape the group, and Anna chimed in with a smirk, "All this talk of country bumpkins. One would think

Ramona would have slapped Vivienne then and there. Her face flushed with a mix of rage and

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

said, "You just

room, Willa had just finished bathing Karen and was carrying

was so thick you could slice it,

in the bathroom flickered twice, then

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

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

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

minor disturbance did little to dampen

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

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

demeanor was cool and

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