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.

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

and she pointed at Vivienne. "You, you country bumpkin! What right do you have

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

murmured among

going on here? Who's calling Ms.

maestro Q, not to

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

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

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

easily bullied in Havenwood, held so many prestigious titles

as she said, "You just wait! I

had just finished bathing Karen and was carrying the basin to

slice it, making it impossible to discern if anyone

the bathroom flickered twice, then went

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

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

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

at the party, the minor disturbance did little to dampen the

the room. "Strange, where did

turned her head with a light-hearted tone,

demeanor was cool

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