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.”

“You, you country bumpkin! What right

entire banquet hall to the unfolding scene

guests murmured among

Who’s calling Ms. Hawthorn a

perfume maestro Q, not to mention a renowned fashion designer. How can

Hawthorn is being called a country bumpkin, what does that make the rest of

chimed in with a smirk, “All this talk of country bumpkins. One would think Ms.

“You, I—”

Vivienne then and there. Her face flushed with a mix of rage and

bullied in Havenwood, held so many prestigious titles

her teeth in frustration as she said, “You just wait! I won’t let you

…

hospital room, Willa had just finished bathing Karen

slice it, making it impossible to discern if

in the bathroom flickered

bathroom door to find nothing but darkness. Without hesitation, she followed the rope that someone had used to climb in through

a sliver of light. A man cautiously stepped in, making sure Karen was the

Willa, with lightning-fast reflexes, threw a dagger that pinned the intruder’s

…

minor disturbance did

“Strange, where did

light-hearted tone, “Why?

demeanor was cool and

I wish she’d leave

clearly set her sights on Mr. Ellington. There must have been some incident;