The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The moment Vivienne’s words cut through the air, a wave of whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

“Oh, Vivienne’s really pushing it with Mr. Ellington’s favoritism.”

“What can you do? She’s pretty, and that goes a long way.”

“What goes around comes around. She’ll get hers eventually.”

The murmurs of discontent piled up as Fiona’s gaze darkened.

Vivienne just chuckled and said calmly, “Fine! For Richard’s sake, why don’t you just apologize?”

“Why should my daughter apologize? You were the one who smeared her design first. You’re just a country bumpkin. Do you think marrying into the Ellingtons will change that?”

Heloise could not hold back any longer. Her son had just been rushed to the hospital, his condition unknown, and now her daughter was being humiliated, too? They were shown zero respect!

Fiona remained silent. Even if Richard and Percival were on Vivienne’s side, they could not silence the court of public opinion.

The tide of sentiment was turning in her favor.

Vivienne glanced disdainfully at Heloise. “What? Your daughter’s design can’t stand criticism? Heloise, who do you think you are to say my mother should wear flawed jewels?”

Heloise was about to retort when Vivienne cut her off coldly. “Or do you think I can’t provide my mother with better jewelry than this?”

“You don’t understand anything! Master Jessica personally endorsed my daughter!” Heloise blurted out in her defense, invoking the renowned name.

Fiona’s expression darkened, but she said nothing in return.

The words were out. What good would contradicting them do now?

Unexpectedly, Richard said, “I haven’t heard about Fiona being endorsed by Master Jessica. Has anyone here actually seen Master Jessica?”

Fiona’s face flushed with embarrassment.

Her grandfather had publicly called her out, leaving her humiliated.

She had to face the music, explaining, “Grandpa, it wasn’t a big deal, so I never mentioned it to you. I met with Master Jessica recently, and this jewelry set was designed under her guidance.”

The crowd gasped.

who knew anything about jewelry recognized that Master Jessica was the

called ‘Dazzling Stars’ that took

been auctioned off for 100 billion dollars to a mysterious buyer, it had never been

then on, Master

to meet Master

suddenly

Fiona was good

reference to Master Jessica, she had set the standard

faintly and slowly approached the showcase displaying the original prototype jewelry. All eyes were

silver

Fiona yelled,

“What’s the rush? It’s just a set of jewelry. If it

Fiona clenched her teeth.

was no match for

less than half a minute, Vivienne stopped and turned around.

closer inspection, it was slightly different

it back together… Wait, she removed two diamonds

quite put my finger on it, but I like

design was a bit cluttered and dull, but after this tweak, it’s

This was exactly what she

How could this be?

deep voice from the crowd said, “It has

time I was this impressed was with

wow factor as ‘Dazzling Stars,’ mainly because the original design wasn’t

Master Jessica looks like. It’s a shame it’s another blemish on

at Vivienne

Was she hearing things?

just imply that she was

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible.

not possibly be Master Jessica.

on

you really Master

How could Master Jessica be a young woman? Besides, isn’t Vivienne

so

one person