The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The cameras started rolling, and the reality show “Escape to the Wild” was underway.

The production team had scouted a variety of campgrounds, but it was up to the celebrity contestants to fend for themselves when it came to food and drink. At 8:30 each evening, a live broadcast was scheduled where fans could interact with the stars and vote for the least favorite. The one with the most votes would end up playing butler for the next day, taking care of all the chores.

On the first day of shooting, the group worked together to set up tents and cook dinner. It just so happened that Vivienne was not exactly an outdoorsy type.

Neither was Kala.

“Let me handle this, Granny. Why don’t you sit and chat with Bo… Vivienne and the others?” Stephen, the only guy in the group, naturally took on more of the physical tasks.

Lucia and Lila also sat down, shamelessly buttering up Paloma Harris.

“Ma’am, your skin is just radiant.”

“Ma’am, being around you feels just like being with my mom. So comforting.”

The old lady was baffled. These two girls were not exactly known for their integrity, but they sure had sweet tongues.

Paloma clicked her tongue. “Oh, honey, we come from a family of good looks.”

Vivienne could not help but burst into laughter.

Kala quickly tugged at her. “Vivienne, stop laughing. It’s not nice.”

Lucia and Lila did not dare confront Paloma, so they redirected her anger toward Vivienne. “You think it’s funny? A murderer’s granddaughter, I’d hide my face if I were you.”

Kala hung her head in shame.

But Vivienne, legs crossed nonchalantly, eyed Lucia. “Heard that the murderer gene is hereditary. Want me to give it a try tonight?”

Lucia shivered. “Are you trying to scare me? You dare say anything. Aren’t you afraid of biting your tongue?”

“If you’re not scared, why should I be?” Vivienne retorted coolly.

Seeing her sister outmatched, Lila chimed in. “Let’s not stoop to arguing with fools. We do our part. Justice shall prevail. Some people never change, and if it weren’t for family support, they’d be nothing.”

then turned to Kala. “You hear that? We strive even though we come from a wealthy background, while some, without a leg up from daddy, turn to sugar daddies. Can’t

and Vivienne’s insinuation hit a nerve. “Dare to say that again, Vivienne, and I’ll tear

lips curled into a sly smile. “You were caught in the Atherine Inn’s presidential suite with a corporate bigwig by his wife. She stripped you and dragged you from the

How did Vivienne

going south, she blocked the camera. “You little bitch,

you embezzled three million from her team. You rejected lucrative roles for her, costing Lucia a hit show. Oh, and another thing, it was you who exposed your sister’s hotel room number for fear that people might find out about your

pale.

with your mouth!” In a rage, Lucia slapped

from the corner of her

watched with satisfaction. There was nothing better than watching

how

were secrets meant to die

mischievously, radiant and striking.

was speechless. She loved gossip, but this was no

live broadcast that evening, Paloma let slip the catfight between the Lucia sisters. In response, Lucia hired some online trolls to target Vivienne and Kala’s broadcast with

with demands for Kala to leave showbiz. Vivienne, known for her sharp tongue,

one troll said: [A murderer’s granddaughter doesn’t belong in showbiz.] Vivienne shot

[Devious and despicable sisters. Aren’t you afraid of karma? I hope you get struck by

not afraid. The lightning strikes

a lone comment in Kala’s

murderer, but she’s not. Why are you guys all

and, without a word, donated a lavish virtual gift

audience was stunned. Even the trolls started

can buy us? Don’t think you can

what? What can

wrong. She’s a

gifted this person

slowly turned to

earned every role with her talent. The intelligent ones know it. I don’t want to hear another

exploded with

[Long live Vivienne!]

make me look bad, but I’m all