The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

“What kind of pictures?”

Chapter 218

Paul clicked on another trending topic titled “Arabella’s Scandalous Photos.”

The page was dotted with intimate photos of Arabella and Elijah. Even with the blur, they were too

explicit for comfort.

The comments were mostly mocking him, saying he was willingly wearing the cuckold’s cap or calling

him a doormat, implying that he was happy to clean up other people’s messes.

One comment, in particular, hit a nerve. “This Paul guy is nothing compared to Percival. Just look at the

women they chose.”

“Percival’s fiancée, Vivienne, though not from a wealthy family, earned two Ph.D. degrees by the age of

sixteen. She’s the genius hacker, Shadow Wolf, The Scent Maestro, and the internationally renowned

fashion designer, Charles. Talk about talent!”

“Then take a look at Arabella. She has no talent except for the ability to cheat on her fiancé.”

Paul lifted his head and glared at Arabella.

It was all because of this woman!

She was the reason he became a laughingstock!

When Arabella heard the recording, her face turned pale. She had also seen the pictures of her and

Elijah on Twitter.

She stared at the photos, trembling all over.

How could this be? Hadn’t Felix promised not to release these photos?

She didn’t know that Felix was dead.

“Paul Arabella tried to say something to calm Paul’s fury.

“I’m done with you!” Paul stood up abruptly and stormed out of the room.

“Paul Arabella chased after him and grabbed his arm. “This isn’t my fault! You were the one who got

recorded. If it were just the photos, no one would know the child isn’t yours!”

“So, this is my fault now?” Paul laughed bitterly. Even without the recording, the exposure of those

photos alone would have been enough to halt Arabella’s entry into the Ellington family.

Now that everyone knew the child wasn’t his, he would lose all face if he still married Arabella.

“Of course, it’s your fault!” Arabella argued defiantly. “If you had been careful, none of this would have

happened! You can’t break off the engagement!”

Marrying into the Ellington family was her best option, and she didn’t want to give up.

Their argument carried them into the hall.

Suddenly, someone snickered.

Paul’s gaze followed the sound. He realized that everyone in the hall was looking at him with strange

expressions. Percival was among them

Despite the distance between them, Paul felt Percival looking down on him, as if he were a pathetic,

defeated dog.

“Bitch, leave me alone!” Paul couldn’t take it anymore. He shook off Arabella’s grip and pushed her

away.

Arabella, in her heels, stumbled and twisted her ankle. She fell into a large decorative vase nearby.

The sound of the shattering vase and Arabella’s fall stunned everyone.

Arabella fell onto the shards, clutching her stomach in pain. She looked up and heard Coral scream,

“Oh my God, Arabella’s face!”

“My face! My face!” She felt a sharp pain in her left cheek. She reached up, touched a bloody wound,

and screamed, “Paul, my face!”

Paul was shocked. He hadn’t expected to push Arabella and end up disfiguring her.

“She’s bleeding!” Someone pointed at the red stain spreading under Arabella’s dress.

“Help me, help me…” Arabella clutched her stomach, feeling a warm flow from her body. She reached

out to grab Paul’s suit pants but fainted.

At Pendleton Hospital.

When the Brooks family arrived, Arabella had already been taken into the emergency room.

“How is Arabella?” Judith asked Dr. Calista, who was standing outside the emergency room.

They said she’s hemorrhaging. They might have to remove her uterus.” Calista replied nonchalantly, as

if it were no big deal.

Scott glared at Paul, who was sitting on the bench. “What the hell happened?”

Paul opened his mouth to explain but couldn’t find the words.

Suddenly, the operating room door opened, and a nurse stepped out. “The patient needs a blood

transfusion urgently, but we’re low on AB blood. Do we have any non–relative donors with AB blood

type?”

“I’m an AB blood type!” Paul jumped up, eager to atone for his mistake. He didn’t want anything more

to do with Arabella.

“AB blood type?” Scott frowned. “Wasn’t it reported that Arabella has an O blood type?”

“I’m blood type A, and Karen is 0. We couldn’t have a child with AB blood type.” Scott said gravely.

Everyone in the room was stunned, even Paul, who was about to donate blood. He paused and looked

at Scott, waiting for an answer.

At that moment, Scott’s phone rang. He answered, “Go ahead.”

“Mr. Brooks, it’s confirmed. Every single one of the test samples was switched. I’m afraid Miss Arabella

is not your daughter.” Secretary Alex’s voice came through from the other end of the phone.

Just as he’d suspected.

Scott fell silent for a moment. “I need to know where the switched samples came from.”

“They were provided by Beatrice. But as she’s now bedridden and unable to move or speak, we have

no way of knowing how she got them Alex replied

“Have you questioned Michael and Joseph? Scott closed his eyes, suppressing the rising anger within

him.

“Yes, we have. They had no part in this. They truly believed that Arabella was your daughter.” Alex

responded.

“Keep investigating. Scott paused as images of Vivienne flashed through his mind. “And find a way to

get a sample from Vivienne”

“Understood Alex affirmed

After hanging up the phone, Scott noticed the intense gazes of Judith and the others. He heaved a

weary sigh.

“Mom, the investigation results are in Arabella is indeed not my daughter. Beatrice bribed the lab

personnel to switch the samples.”

Judith looked both disappointed and somewhat relieved.

“Beatrice and Arabella dared to play us like this?!” Timothy snapped out of his initial shock and seethed

with rage. “They conspired to deceive us and took so much money from us! I swear, I’m going to make

them pay back every single dime!”