The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 171

Hazel felt a sudden chill creep up her scalp, and she quietly took two steps back, hoping to sneak off

the runway unnoticed.

Mike, who had been engrossed in admiring a strapless gown, finally looked up to see the young,

talented designer standing next to him. But upon recognizing the impatient expression on Vivienne’s

face, he exclaimed in surprise, “Master Charles! Is that you?”

The room fell into a stunned silence.

“What? Mr. Ellington’s fiancée is Master Charles?”

“How is that possible? Mike must have mistaken her for someone else.”

From the runway below, Arabella had been urging Judith to stop Vivienne, but she hadn’t made a move

to actually do it herself.

She was hoping that Vivienne would offend Mike, leading to a breakdown in the partnership between

the Edwards family and Mike. This would not only ruin Vivienne’s reputation but also earn her the

enmity of the Edwards family.

If Vivienne’s arrogance led to not only her own downfall but also strained the relationship between the

Ellington Group and the Edwards Group, would the Ellington family still want such a troublesome

daughter–in–law?

Arabella had her plan all figured out, and when Mike stormed towards Vivienne in anger, she thought

her wish was about to come true.

But to her surprise, not only did Mike praise Vivienne’s altered design, he even called her “Master

Charles.”

This Mike must have lost his mind!

She stepped forward and addressed Mike. “Mr. Mike, my sister grew up in a humble monastery and

has never touched fashion design. How could she possibly be Master Charles? You must have

mistaken her for someone else.”

“How could I possibly mistake her?” Mike gave Arabella a strange look and replied. “When my creativity

hit a roadblock years ago, it was Master Charles who inspired me and led to my success today. She is

like my mentor. Who would mistake their own mentor?”

He then pointed at the obedient Italian model who had been following Vivienne’s instructions to the tee.

“Julia is one of the most professional supermodels in the industry. If it wasn’t for her respect for Master

Charles and knowing my relationship with Charles, would she have so patiently let others touch my

clothes?” This statement set the crowd buzzing again.

“Is Vivienne really Master Charles?”

“No way. That’s unbelievable.”

But Vivienne on the runway just raised an eyebrow at Mike and nodded. “Long time no see.”

Her demeanor was like that of an elder addressing a younger person.

Then she added, “After all this time, you still haven’t made any progress.”

Mike’s excited expression instantly deflated. He now seemed much like a frost–bitten eggplant, and he

even looked a bit like a chastised child. “I know I’ve hit a creative block. I’ve been wanting to seek your

advice again, hoping for new inspiration.”

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This natural conversation was proof enough that Vivienne was indeed Charles.

The crowd was either dumbfounded or amazed.

Even Percival was surprised, his lips slightly parted in astonishment. His Vivienne was full of surprises.

How many more surprises was she hiding?

Only Cecilia seemed delighted for Vivienne.

Just before Vivienne took the stage, while no one dared openly confront her and Percival due to their

status, snide comments and discussions had been reaching their ears.

Some said the Ellington family had poor judgment for choosing an arrogant and ill–mannered

daughter–in–law.

Some predicted that Vivienne would make a fool of herself today and that the Ellington family would

call off the engagement.

Others even suggested that she, Cecilia, was dissatisfied with Vivienne and was scouting for a new

bride for Percival during her poker games.

Rumors!

She had told all her poker friends that she had set her heart on Vivienne as her daughter–in–law.

Stella Pembroke and her mother must be spreading rumors about her. Next time they meet, she’ll give

them a good slap.

Now, Vivienne had not only proven her taste and ability, but she was also revealed to be the mysterious

fashion designer Charles of the fashion world.

If Cecilia wasn’t so concerned about maintaining her ladylike demeanor, she would probably be

grinning from

ear to ear.

Clothes designed by Charles were extremely sought–after.

Many wealthy ladies couldn’t get their hands on them, even if they were willing to pay a high price.

They were practically priceless.

From today onwards, who knew how many people would be knocking on their door, hoping for Vivienne

to design clothes for them?

While her mind was racing, Cecilia maintained a perfect poker face, showing no surprise at the

revelation of Vivienne’s identity as Master Charles. This led others to believe that she had known all

along.

Arabella’s face was a picture of discontent. She stole a glance at Percival.

He was sitting there with a glass of red wine in his hand, looking up at the radiant Vivienne on the

runway. He held his glass in a graceful gesture, toasting to the only girl in his eyes.

She saw Vivienne return his gaze with a smile. Their eyes met, and it was a moment of intimacy that no

one else could intrude upon.

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Arabella’s grip on Judith’s hand tightened slightly, causing Judith some discomfort. Following Arabella’s

gaze, she saw Percival and couldn’t help but feel surprised.

Looking at the way he and Vivienne exchanged glances, she instantly suspected his identity.

Who would have thought that the ones who had saved her in Havenwood would turn out to be Vivienne

and Percival?

In previous years, due to her dislike for socializing, she was not very familiar with Percival’s generation,

despite living in Rivenwood, so she didn’t recognize him at the time.

Trailing behind Judith were Beatrice and her two sons; their gazes on Vivienne were quite complex.

Just the identity of Master Q, was enough to surprise them. They did not expect Vivienne to be the

internationally mysterious fashion designer, Charles.

Beatrice could feel that as Vivienne’s identity was revealed, countless people who knew about their

previous grudges were looking at her. They were all mocking her for treating Arabella like a treasure

but disregarding the true gem.

Their gazes seemed to be asking her if she regretted it.

Initially, they had sold Vivienne to the “disabled” Percival in order to receive a large money from the

Ellington family to save the Hawthorn Group. Later, they broke ties with Dorian and even helped

Arabella frame Dorian. She did all this with the sole purpose of saving the Hawthorn Group. She did

this to make the Hawthorn Group prosper, didn’t she?

But in fact, just one formula from Master Q, or one clothing line from Charles could solve all these

problems.

If she had been slightly nicer to Vivienne back then, would she be jumping around like she was now?

She made a fool of herself while the Hawthorn Group still failed.

Beatrice clenched her teeth. Her gloomy gaze fell on the interlocked hands of Judith and Arabella.

Then a sinister smile flashed across Beatrice’s eyes.

Why did the good fortune always fall on you, Judith?

Why wasn’t Vivienne my granddaughter?

Why was she yours?

But what of it?

You will always treat a fake heiress as a treasure.

What I couldn’t have, you wouldn’t have either!