The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

A week later, at the celebration gala of Betrothed Understud’s billion-dollar achievement.

Vivienne, the invisible power behind Rainbow Entertainment, chose to attend the party from the shadows, in keeping with her elusive persona.

However, generous as ever, she gifted a whopping 30 million dollars as a bonus for the film’s smashing success.

“Boss, we’re talking a billion-dollar hit here! As the lead investor, Rainbow Entertainment is swimming in dough, and you only give out 30 million?” Darren quipped, balancing a parrot on his shoulder, always quick with a joke.

Vivienne had not seen this goofy bird in ages and actually missed it a bit. She reached out to pet it.

But the parrot, now plump and haughty from Darren’s care, dodged her hand.

Raising an eyebrow, Vivienne retorted, “That 30 million is coming out of your bonus, Darren. Looks like your feathered friend there is going on a diet!”

The parrot squawked in protest. “Brat! Brat!”

That was the parrot’s usual cry upon seeing Vivienne. Whenever it saw Finnian, it would call out, “Old Geezer!”

The parrot had a unique nickname for each disciple, earning it more than a few feather-plucking sessions at the hands of Leopold and the others.

Vivienne tapped the parrot’s head. “Pretending you don’t see me? You’re asking for trouble.”

“Boss, it’s not my fault it’s misbehaving; you can’t dock that from my bonus! I’ve promised my mom I’d cut her off from my expenses. If I lose that bonus, I’ll starve!” Darren pleaded.

Vivienne, pretending not to hear, ignored him completely.

That would teach him to be cheeky.

“Stirring up trouble with the boss again?” Kala sauntered over in a matching outfit with Stephen, the on-screen couple from the film.

The party was being streamed live, and the fans, especially those shipping the lead pair, would not miss it for the world.

never missed a chance to fuel their fans’ fantasies and

lose that bonus!” Darren passed the parrot to her. “If you

her eyes. “Keep your dumb bird, and try picking

of creativity with names: the parrot was “Birdie,” his sheepdog “Pooch,” and his American Shorthair “Kitty.” He went straight to the essence

at Stephen, who simply cupped his ears, “Sorry, bro. When

not bother with the drama and instead

scripts for me to consider. I want to pick carefully. The fame from this last project was hard-won, and once we wrap up, Stephen and my on-screen romance

never meddled in her employees’ careers—as long as they

Vivienne was unabashedly money-minded.

in the cash, you have my blessing,” Vivienne said, blinking away any pretense of not being

gasp rippled through the

He just gifted 50

over, her expression souring at Mr.

seemed like taking wool from the

greet him when Darren’s parrot burst into a frenzied chant, “Old Geezer! Old

reserved for Finnian, whom the parrot

spun around to see everyone marveling at the parrot while one figure quietly slipped away in the opposite

she

but obedient, gave

the parrot kept up its chant, driving Darren to muffle its beak. “Shut it, you dumb bird! There is no old

man, but he turned out to just be a crew member.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated

crew members wearing the