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.”

country bumpkin! What right do you have to talk

the entire banquet hall to the unfolding scene between Vivienne,

murmured among themselves, their expressions

here? Who’s calling

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

as accomplished as Ms. Hawthorn is being called a country bumpkin, what does that

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

“You, I—”

Ramona would have slapped Vivienne then and there. Her

easily bullied in Havenwood, held

said, “You just wait! I won’t let you

…

in a dimly lit hospital room, Willa had just finished bathing Karen and was carrying the basin to

you could slice it, making

lights in the bathroom flickered twice, then went

her eyes sharp, kicked open the bathroom door to find nothing but darkness. Without hesitation, she followed the rope that

the hospital room door cracked open, letting in a sliver of light. A man cautiously stepped in, making sure Karen was

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

…

minor disturbance did little to dampen

room. “Strange, where did Ramona go? She

turned her head with a light-hearted tone, “Why? Were you hoping she’d

demeanor was

“No, no. I wish she’d leave faster. But you

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