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 country bumpkin! What right

drew the attention of the entire banquet hall to the unfolding scene between Vivienne, Dorian, and

guests murmured among themselves, their

Who’s calling Ms. Hawthorn

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

accomplished as Ms. Hawthorn is being called a country

this talk of country bumpkins. One would think

“You, I—”

slapped Vivienne then and there. Her face flushed with a mix of rage and mortification; she

thought that this woman, once so easily bullied in Havenwood, held so

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

…

just finished bathing Karen

thick you could slice it, making it impossible to discern if anyone was lurking

the 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

the needle could make contact, the room flooded with light, and Willa, with lightning-fast reflexes, threw a dagger that pinned the intruder’s head

…

the party, the minor disturbance did little to

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

head with a light-hearted tone, “Why?

joking, her demeanor was

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

those who had crossed Ramona recently, Kala shivered. “The way she acted just now, she’s clearly