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.

recognized that Master Jessica was the pinnacle of the

a set called ‘Dazzling Stars’ that

had been auctioned off for 100 billion dollars to a mysterious buyer, it

then on, Master Jessica

meet Master

suddenly elevated to divine

furrowed. Fiona was good

Master Jessica, she had set

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

surprise, she took a silver needle and disassembled

are you doing?” Fiona yelled, stepping forward

keep Fiona back, “What’s the rush? It’s just a set of jewelry. If it gets

Fiona clenched her teeth.

for

less than half a minute, Vivienne stopped and

closer inspection, it was slightly different from

it apart and put it back together… Wait, she removed two diamonds

can’t quite put my finger on it, but I like it better

original design was a bit cluttered and dull,

was

How could this be?

deep voice from the crowd said, “It has Master

exclaimed again, “Yes, the last time I was this impressed was

as ‘Dazzling Stars,’ mainly because the original design wasn’t as impressive. If it were redesigned, it would be so much

touched by Master Jessica looks like. It’s a shame it’s

at

Was she hearing things?

Vivienne just imply that

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible.

be

on the hint

really

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

was so

could one person