The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the buzzing world of the entertainment industry, rumors had long swirled that Ramona’s meteoric rise to stardom wasn’t without the help of some shady dealings. But Kala, with her own history as a fan favorite, never bought into the gossip. She knew all too well how vicious whispers could trail a successful woman.

However, when she overheard Ramona trash-talking Vivienne, the scion of a respected entertainment dynasty, her blood boiled. Kala’s patience snapped as Ramona’s sneering remarks about the Brooks family hit too close to home. Before she knew it, a sharp retort lashed out from her lips.

Ramona’s face cycled through a spectrum of anger, embarrassment, and indignation.

Kala, her own temper flaring, nearly apologized, but the words froze on her tongue as she stared into Ramona’s twisted expression of fury.

“Oh, you’ve really done it now, Kala!” Ramona seethed, her delicate features contorting.

No wonder Kala and Vivienne were buddies—birds of a feather flock together!

“You want to slander me? You’re going to pay for that!” Ramona yelled inside when her hand shot out, grabbing Kala’s wrist and attempting to hurl her down the trailer steps.

“Ramona!” The urgency in her agent’s voice was clear as he raced to intervene.

With the grace of an actress, Ramona turned on the waterworks for the gathering crowd. “Ms. Brooks, I know you resent me for snagging that endorsement from you, but we all have to play the game in this industry. How could you attack me like this?”

Kala was incredulous at the audacity of Ramona’s performance, almost impressed despite herself.

The emotions in her eyes flickered as she stared at Ramona.

The shooting had just ended, and several staff were walking around the set, ready to leave. Hearing the commotion and realizing it was a clash between two popular actresses, a crowd quickly formed with onlookers recording the whole thing.

and she limped onto him as if her ankle

respect because you’re a senior in this industry; that’s why she prefers to avoid conflicts with you even if it means she has to give up things in the process! And how do you repay her? Not only did you take Ms. Vivienne’s side in oppressing us during the banquet, but now you’ve even gone and pushed her down the stairs! You know, even if you want to suck up to Ms. Vivienne, this is too much!

“But this isn’t over! Ms. Brooks, we’ll see you

say that. Ms. Brooks didn’t mean it. It was my fault for stepping up and not expecting the Hawthorn family to actually hire me for this endorsement. Ms. Brooks, don’t you worry, I’ll call Mr. Hawthorn right now! I’ll make sure you

The onlookers started murmuring.

To think I actually believed

nice can the granddaughter of a murderer be? She’s showing her true colors now, isn’t

industry are never certain until the last moment. How can Kala be so shameless to claim that the endorsement belongs

their perfumes again! Who knows what ingredients they

his sharp gaze scanning past Ramona’s ankle,

How could a girl born

hard to keep her eyes open. She would be a fool

to ruin her reputation. It was no wonder

how did Ramona know about the Brooks family? Didn’t Vivienne prevent the information from leaking? The public thought the Brooks family’s demise was because of

Ramona sound

with my family, so I’m sure you know that Vivienne is my cousin. You say you snatched my endorsement, right? How about we call Vivienne now to see

and added, “Or, Ms. Grimshaw, do you think you’ve charmed her into

dawned on

right, I’ve forgotten about that. I think I’ve heard somewhere that Kala