The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 31

Percival was as nonchalant as if he was talking about something mundane.

This made Arabella’s heart beat faster once again.

Percival had Dr. William’s number? And he’s planning to call him? Was he planning on completely

ruining her reputation today?

This cannot happen!

She couldn’t let her carefully crafted image be destroyed just like that.

Arabella lifted her gaze, her face cold, “The Ellington family is powerful, so Mr. Ellington, you can do as

you please, but I can’t! The gift is for Dr. William, I should go apologize in person and take it back. So

please wait, Mr. Ellington, I’ll go change.”

Before Percival could object, she turned and went upstairs.

Once upstairs, Arabella closed the door tightly, her eyes filled with resentment.

She clenched her teeth and balled her fists, thinking, “Vivienne! Percival! This isn’t over yet!”

Later, Arabella changed her outfit, threw some herbs out the window, then went downstairs:

She didn’t even take her bag.

She did this to show everyone that she was really going to deliver the herbs.

Arabella went to Beatrice and Octavia, and said apologetically, “I’m sorry, I’ve caused trouble for the

Hawthorn family.”

Hearing this, Octavia sneered inwardly, of course she’d blame Arabella!

Besides, she never liked Arabella!

This girl was too manipulative, sometimes even blatantly showing her desires.

But of course, she couldn’t say these things out loud.

Beatrice held the financial reigns of the Hawthorn family, they needed her to survive.

Octavia forced a smile, “Arabella, I don’t mind. Don’t overthink it.”

“Thank you.” Arabella bowed her head, still appearing well–behaved and sensible, only her fallen hair

hid the sharpness in her eyes.

However, Octavia didn’t know that Arabella hasn’t delivered the gift yet.

Of course, even if she knew, she would make the same choice as Arabella, not letting everyone know

the gift was still in the Hawthorn family.

After saying thanks, Arabella quickly left.

She avoided everyone, went to the backyard, collected the herbs, and left the Hawthorn family.

Once Arabella left, the drama ended…

Percival didn’t pursue it further. After all, this was the Hawthorn family. His future father–in–law was

Dorian.

The banquet officially started, everyone tacitly avoided talking about what just happened, but their

impression of Arabella had worsened a bit.

Beatrice, however, was as cheerful as ever, dealing with the guests with a smile.

Vivienne and Dorian, Cordelia, and Thaddeus were sitting in a corner.

Also sitting with Vivienne was Isolde.

This girl insisted on sticking with her, refusing to leave, Vivienne had no choice but to take her to the

corner.

It wasn’t their choice to sit there, it was Beatrice’s arrangement.

In the Hawthorn family, Dorian’s family didn’t have the privilege to sit at the main table, it had always

been like this.

But Dorian didn’t mind, he found it relaxing not being with those people.

Vivienne didn’t like the socializing either. She preferred being in a corner.

Their table was just them, the other guests were busy talking. Since they weren’t given much attention

by Beatrice, no one wanted to bother them.

Just as they say down, someone patted Vivienne’s shoulder, saying, “Ms. Vivienne, hang in there,

teach that fake innocent girl a lesson!”

Vivienne turned her head, raising an eyebrow at the person in front of her. Charlotte was wearing a

long purple dress, she wasn’t frail like Arabella, her features were well defined, and she had a distinct

charm. If she hadn’t said those things about Arabella earlier, people would think of her as an

extraordinary beauty.

Vivienne put on a small smile, saying, “Do you have any grudges against Arabella?”

“No grudges! Just can’t stand her ways!” Charlotte gave a smile to Vivienne, “I like people like you,

honest and straightforward!”

Vivienne was smiling. Was this a compliment?

“Alright, I gotta go, my dad’s so mad about me getting involved in this, he’s about to break my legs. I

need to save my skin.” With that, Charlotte lifted her dress and ran off.

Vivienne noticed that she was wearing pants under her dress!

Charlotte didn’t give Vivienne a chance to speak, she just ran off like a gust of wind.

Vivienne rubbed her forehead helplessly.

Just as Charlotte left, Thomas came over with Percival.

There was also an indifferent looking Leopold with them.

Vivienne looked at Percival first, then at Leopold, her gaze towards Leopold was a bit mocking.

Leopold touched his nose, feeling a bit weird.

Why did he always feel that Ms. Vivienne was a bit off? She always stared at him and had this strange

smile. He even suspected if Ms. Vivienne had a crush on him, but her expression didn’t seem like she

was into him.

“Mr. Hawthorn, Ms. Vivienne, may we sit here?” Percival asked politely and modestly.

Dorian wanted to refuse, but was swayed by his politeness and modesty, “Please sit.”

Once everyone was seated, nobody spoke, and the atmosphere was a bit awkward.

Isolde seemed oblivious to the awkwardness. She lifted her head, blinking at Vivienne, and said with a

smile, “Vivienne, are you my brother’s fiancé?”

Just as Vivienne was about to respond, Dorian immediately cut in, “Isolde, don’t just blurt out things like

that. Vivienne isn’t going to marry your brother. They’ve broken off their engagement.”

Percival looked up, surprised, his eyes asking Vivienne: You didn’t mention our engagement?·

Vivienne felt wronged, it wasn’t that she didn’t mention it, she just never had the chance.

Percival felt wronged, could it be that his future father–in–law was still insisting on their breakup?

Percival cleared his throat lightly, lifting his glass, “Mr. Hawthorn…”

Before he could finish speaking, Isolde blinked her innocent eyes and tilted her head to ask Dorian,

“Mr. Hawthorn, don’t you like my brother? Is it because he’s not good–looking? Or because he’s

broke?”

Percival was at a loss for words!

Suddenly, he understood why Vivienne hadn’t mentioned their engagement to Dorian.

Because he wouldn’t have been able to get a word in!

Dorian said, That’s not the reason…”

Then do you like my brother, Mr. Hawthorn? But if you like my brother, why won’t you let Vivienne be

with him? My brother’s loaded, and if he’s not, I can lend him money, or, I can give all my money to

Vivienne. I’ll make sure she has a good life, you don’t have to worry.”

Dorian was also speechless.

Percival cleared his throat and said, “Isolde.”

Feeling his gaze, Isolde lowered her head and stopped talking.

What should she do? She was actually quite afraid of her brother.

Percival didn’t pay much attention to her inner thoughts. Instead, he raised his glass to Dorian and

said, “Mr. Hawthorn, perhaps Ms. Vivienne hasn’t had the chance to tell you, she’s already agreed to

be engaged to me.”

“What?” Dorian and Cordelia’s eyes widened in surprise, disbelievingly staring at Percival.