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 of mother hen? Clucking away like you're laying eggs at the Hawthorn

Vivienne. "You, you country bumpkin! What right

the entire banquet hall to the unfolding

guests murmured among themselves,

Who's calling Ms.

as the perfume maestro Q, not to mention a renowned

called a country bumpkin,

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

the restrictions of the setting, Ramona would have slapped Vivienne then and there. Her face flushed

would have thought that this woman, once so easily bullied in Havenwood, held so many prestigious titles

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

had just finished bathing Karen

was so thick you could slice it, making it impossible to discern

the bathroom flickered twice,

but darkness. Without hesitation, she followed the rope that someone had used to climb

letting in a sliver of light. A man cautiously stepped in, making sure Karen was the

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

disturbance did little to dampen

stuck close to Vivienne, casting glances around the room. "Strange, where did

light-hearted tone,

her demeanor was

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