The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

“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.

Vivienne’s elegant eyebrows knitted together as she scoffed, “Ms. Grimshaw, are you supposed to be some kind of mother hen? Clucking away like you’re laying eggs at the Hawthorn family talent show.”

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

the entire banquet hall to the unfolding scene between

guests murmured among themselves, their expressions

going on here? Who’s calling Ms. Hawthorn a

Q, not to mention

someone as accomplished as Ms. Hawthorn is being called a country

escape the group, and Anna chimed in with a smirk, “All this talk

“You, I—”

Ramona would have slapped Vivienne then and there. Her face flushed

once so easily bullied in

“You just wait! I won’t let you get away

…

dimly lit hospital room, Willa had just finished bathing Karen and was carrying

thick you could slice it, making it impossible to

bathroom flickered twice, then

bathroom door to find nothing but darkness. Without hesitation, she followed the rope that

stepped in, making sure Karen was the only other person there before advancing with

could make contact, the room flooded with light, and Willa, with lightning-fast

…

at the party, the minor disturbance

to Vivienne, casting glances around the room. “Strange, where did Ramona go? She wouldn’t just

head with a light-hearted tone, “Why? Were

joking, her demeanor was cool

explained, “No, no. I wish she’d leave faster. But you don’t understand, Vivienne. Ramona is not as

those who had crossed Ramona recently, Kala shivered. “The way she acted just now, she’s clearly set her sights on Mr. Ellington. There must