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.

be some kind of mother hen?

you country bumpkin! What

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

guests murmured among themselves,

Who's calling Ms.

with the times. Ms. Hawthorn is known as the perfume maestro Q, not to mention a renowned fashion designer.

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

Anna chimed in with a smirk, "All this talk of country bumpkins. One

have slapped Vivienne then and there. Her face flushed with a mix of rage and mortification; she

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

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

room, Willa had just finished bathing Karen and was carrying the basin to

it, making it impossible to discern if anyone was

the lights in the bathroom flickered

nothing but darkness. Without hesitation, she followed the rope that someone had used to climb in

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

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

minor disturbance did little to

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

with a light-hearted tone, "Why? Were

demeanor was

for irritation, hurriedly explained, "No, no. I wish she'd leave