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.

scoffed, "Ms. Grimshaw, are you supposed to be some kind of mother hen? Clucking away like you're laying eggs at the

you country bumpkin! What right do you have to talk

entire banquet hall to

among

Who's calling Ms. Hawthorn a country

the perfume maestro Q, not to mention a

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

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

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

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

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

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

thick you could slice it, making it impossible to discern if

lights in the bathroom flickered

door to find nothing but darkness. Without hesitation, she

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

light, and Willa, with lightning-fast reflexes, threw

at the party, the minor disturbance did little to

stuck close to Vivienne, casting glances around the room. "Strange, where did Ramona go? She wouldn't just leave like that, would

light-hearted tone, "Why? Were

her demeanor was

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