The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 417

The moment Vivienne's words cut through the air, a wave of whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

"Oh, Vivienne's really pushing it with Mr. Ellington's favoritism."

"What can you do? She's pretty, and that goes a long way."

"What goes around comes around. She'll get hers eventually."

The murmurs of discontent piled up as Fiona's gaze darkened.

Vivienne just chuckled and said calmly, "Fine! For Richard's sake, why don't you just apologize?"

"Why should my daughter apologize? You were the one who smeared her design first. You're just a country bumpkin. Do you think marrying into the Ellingtons will change that?"

Heloise could not hold back any longer. Her son had just been rushed to the hospital, his condition unknown, and now her daughter was being humiliated, too? They were shown zero respect! Fiona remained silent. Even if Richard and Percival were on Vivienne's side, they could not silence the court of public opinion.

The tide of sentiment was turning in her favor.

Vivienne glanced disdainfully at Heloise. "What? Your daughter's design can't stand criticism? Heloise, who do you think you are to say my mother should wear flawed jewels?"

Heloise was about to retort when Vivienne cut her off coldly. "Or do you think I can't provide my mother with better jewelry than this?"

"You don't understand anything! Master Jessica personally endorsed my daughter!" Heloise blurted out in her defense, invoking the renowned name.

Fiona's expression darkened, but she said nothing in return.

The words were out. What good would contradicting them do now?

Unexpectedly, Richard said, "I haven't heard about Fiona being endorsed by Master Jessica. Has anyone here actually seen Master Jessica?"

Fiona's face flushed with embarrassment.

Her grandfather had publicly called her out, leaving her humiliated.

She had to face the music, explaining, "Grandpa, it wasn't a big deal, so I never mentioned it to you. I met with Master Jessica recently, and this jewelry set was designed under her guidance." The crowd gasped.

Anyone who knew anything about jewelry recognized that Master Jessica was the pinnacle of the craft.

Years ago, she had designed a set called 'Dazzling Stars' that took the world by storm.

After it had been auctioned off for 100 billion dollars to a mysterious buyer, it had never been seen again.

From then on, Master Jessica became a legend.

Nobody expected Fiona to meet Master Jessica and receive her advice.

Fiona's jewelry set was suddenly elevated to divine status!

Vivienne's brow furrowed. Fiona was good at seizing opportunities.

With a single reference to Master Jessica, she had set the standard for her jewelry line.

Vivienne smiled faintly and slowly approached the showcase displaying the original prototype jewelry. All eyes were on her, curious about her intentions.

To their surprise, she took a silver needle and disassembled the jewelry set!

"Vivienne, what are you doing?" Fiona yelled, stepping forward to stop her.

Percival held out his hand to keep Fiona back, "What's the rush? It's just a set of jewelry. If it gets damaged, I'll compensate you."

Fiona clenched her teeth.

Knowing she was no match for Percival, she stood her ground.

In less than half a minute, Vivienne stopped and turned around. The set of jewelry looked normal again.

But on closer inspection, it was slightly different from before.

"Why did she take it apart and put it back together... Wait, she removed two diamonds and rearranged them. It looks more refined now!"

"I can't quite put my finger on it, but I like it better now."

"The original design was a bit cluttered and dull, but after this tweak, it's just perfect!"

Fiona was stunned. This was exactly what she had envisioned!

How could this be?

Then, a deep voice from the crowd said, "It has Master Jessica's touch."

The crowd exclaimed again, "Yes, the last time I was this impressed was with 'Dazzling Stars.""

"This set doesn't have the same wow factor as 'Dazzling Stars,' mainly because the original design wasn't as impressive. If it were redesigned, it would be so much better." Vivienne glared at Fiona, "This is what a piece touched by Master Jessica looks like. It's a shame it's another blemish on my life."

Fiona looked at Vivienne in disbelief.

Was she hearing things?

Did Vivienne just imply that she was Master Jessica?

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible.

Vivienne could not possibly be Master Jessica. That was ridiculous!

The others also picked up on the hint from Vivienne's words.

"Are you really Master Jessica?"

"No way. How could Master Jessica be a young woman? Besides, isn't Vivienne known as Master Charles?"

Vivienne's identity was so multifaceted it seemed unbelievable.

How could one person be so omnipotent?

She was not a robot!

Jasper tapped his cane, drawing attention to the sudden silence.

He walked slowly to Vivienne and asked, "Dazzling Stars' necklace has two initials on the back. What are they?"

Vivienne's eyes twinkled as she stepped forward and smiled, "Sir, it's the central diamond of the necklace that bears my mother's name."

That jewelry was designed with her mother's eyes in mind.

So, she had engraved Karen's initials on the back of the necklace.

Only those who had seen 'Dazzling Stars' would know this detail.

The 'Dazzling Stars' collection was a set of jewels so exclusive that only the enigmatic buyer from years ago and Master Jessica herself had ever laid eyes on them.

"What about the font?" Jasper inquired further.

"It's in French script, with a solid little star at the end of the 'K," Vivienne replied calmly.

Jasper nodded as Yuri presented the 'Dazzling Stars' collection.

"Vivienne is Master Jessica, and this 'Dazzling Stars' collection is proof of that."

Once the jewelry box was opened, the long-hidden 'Dazzling Stars' jewels were revealed to everyone present.

Jasper chuckled. "I had thought about gifting it to you, but now, I've had a change of heart."

Vivienne nodded as if it was the most natural thing. "Of course, I don't need a return of property. The money's been taken."

Jasper laughed heartily. He was really growing fond of Vivienne.

Yuri stowed the box away, turning to Percival. "Mr. Ellington, I'm afraid our collaboration must come to an end. After all, I have no desire to launch our new jewelry line with a designer full of lies."

Fiona stepped back, taken aback. She was only now realizing that the two individuals before her were from the Perez family of Sea City, who had just reached a preliminary partnership agreement with the Ellington Group!

But what did Yuri's words imply?

Could it be...

Percival glanced at Fiona and then said to Yuri, "Mr. Perez, the Ellington Group also does not need such a designer."

"Then, the partnership continues," Yuri said with a satisfied nod.