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.

elegant eyebrows knitted together as she scoffed, "Ms. Grimshaw, are you supposed to be some kind

pointed at Vivienne. "You, you country bumpkin!

shrill voice drew the attention of the entire banquet

murmured among

going on here? Who's calling Ms. Hawthorn

Ms. Hawthorn is known as the perfume maestro Q, not

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

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

then and there. Her face flushed with a mix

bullied in Havenwood, held so many prestigious

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

hospital room, Willa had just finished bathing Karen and was

thick you could slice it, making

in the bathroom

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

stepped in, making sure Karen was the only other person there before advancing with

before the needle could make contact, the room flooded with light, and Willa, with lightning-fast reflexes, threw a dagger

minor disturbance did

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

head with a light-hearted tone, "Why?

demeanor was cool

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