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.

Grimshaw, are you supposed to be some kind of mother hen?

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

drew the attention of the entire banquet hall to the unfolding scene between

guests murmured among themselves, their expressions

calling Ms.

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

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

didn't escape the group, and Anna chimed in with a smirk, "All this talk of country bumpkins.

there. Her face flushed with

would have thought that this woman, once so easily bullied

said, "You

finished bathing Karen and was carrying the basin

outside was so thick you could slice it, making it impossible to discern if anyone was lurking

the bathroom

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

stepped in, making sure Karen was the only other

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

disturbance did

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

her head with a light-hearted tone, "Why? Were you

her demeanor was cool and

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