The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 32

Dorian shot up from his seat, stared at Percival angrily.

Tightly clenching his fists, he spat out, “Are you threatening Vivienne? Let me tell you straight, while

others might be scared of you, I ain’t. Don’t you dare force my little girl to marry you, I won’t allow it!”

Cordelia chimed in with a nod, “Damn right, I’m in for the fight too.”

Vivienne pulled Dorian back, whispering, “Dad, chill. I agreed to get engaged with him willingly.”

At this, Dorian and Cordelia were both floored, too stunned to react.

Once she gathered herself, Cordelia stammered, “Vivienne, didn’t you say you didn’t want to marry

him? What’s up now… Did he threaten you? Don’t be scared, tell us. Your dad and I might not have

any special powers, but we won’t let you marry someone you don’t want to.”

After speaking, Cordelia shot Percival a death glare. “If he did threaten you, we’ll sue his ass. I don’t

care how much power and influence his family has, they can’t break the law.”

Dorian didn’t say anything, but the way he was glaring at Percival, it was as if he wanted to kill him.

How dare he do this to his daughter. Bastard!

Percival wanted to shout at them.

Threaten? I didn’t, I really didn’t. You’re misunderstanding.

Vivienne rubbed her temples, “He didn’t threaten me. I just want to get engaged with him.”

Dorian didn’t know what to say.

If Vivienne wanted to get married, he had no reason to stop her.

But Percival…

He glanced at Percival’s leg, the guy’s disabled. Could he protect Vivienne?

And Vivienne didn’t seem like the type to take shit from anyone.

Her medical skills alone were enough to amaze many.

Dorian looked at Vivienne, “Are you sure about this?”

Vivienne nodded, “Yes. Don’t worry, we’re just getting engaged. I can still call it off if I change my mind.”

Percival’s mouth twitched at the corners.

–This girl, they–are–not even engaged yet, and she’s already considering backing out.

Dorian didn’t know what happened between Vivienne and Percival, but he figured they must have

gotten pretty close recently. Otherwise, Vivienne wouldn’t have treated Percival’s sister. So he didn’t

say anything else, “If you’ve made up your mind, we’ll go with your decision.”

Honestly, he had no idea Vivienne has medical skills.

“The engagement ceremony will be in ten days. We’ll discuss the details after the party.” Percival

seemed to take the engagement seriously.

“Fine.” Even though Dorian didn’t stop Vivienne from getting engaged to Percival, he was extremely

uncomfortable.

He had just found his daughter, and not even a month later, she was getting engaged.

Half an hour later, Arabella returned.

When she came in, she had two boxes in her hands.

She had all the gifts Percival gave her brought back, her expression was not pleasant, “Mr. Ellington,

everything is here. You’d better check them to avoid confusion later.”

Percival didn’t even look at her, he simply said, “Thomas.”

Thomas stood up, his face serious, and checked all the gifts.

Seeing this, Arabella’s face darkened even more.

Damn Percival! He really was checking.

“Mr. Ellington, everything checks out.” Thomas reported after he finished.

Percival turned to Vivienne, “Ms. Vivienne, I apologize for the misunderstanding earlier. I’ll prepare

another gift to express my gratitude tomorrow.”

“It’s fine!” Vivienne replied casually, “I saved Isolde. You have nothing to do with it.”

“But the gift…”

Before he could finish, Vivienne lifted her head, her face cold, and said word for word, “It. Has. Nothing.

To do with. You.”

-Percival choked on his words.

The

atmosphere got awkward.

Isolde, who was next to them, noticed.

She tilted her head and seriously said to Percival, “Brother, this is between Vivienne and me. I should

be the one to thank her.” Then she turned to Vivienne, “Right, Vivienne?”

Vivienne smiled, “Right.”

Isolde happily smiled at Percival, “Brother, I’m more important to Vivienne than you.”

Percival looked at his sister, didn’t know what to say.

Arabella, who was standing aside, saw them happily chatting and no one paying attention to her. Her

hand clenched tighter, and her face was about to lose control.

She lost all her dignity today.

Without looking back at them, she turned around and left.

Halfway through the banquet, a maid came with wine.

She got a glass of wine for everyone.

When she put a glass next to Vivienne, Vivienne lifted her head and smiled, “I don’t drink.”

The maid was taken aback and immediately apologized, “I’m sorry, miss, I didn’t know. I’ll get you’a

beverage right away.”

She quickly took the wine glass away and soon brought a drink.

Vivienne picked up the cup, looked at the drink, her eyes slightly squinted, and the smile on her lips

carried a hint of mockery.

After a while, she downed the drink.

Not far away, Arabella saw her drink it, and her eyes became cold.

A few minutes later, the maid came again to pour wine and drinks for everyone.

Cordelia glanced at her and said with a puzzled look, “Aren’t you pouring the drinks a bit too

frequently?”

The maid was a bit flustered by the question. Trying to explain, she accidentally spilled the drink on

Vivienne. She immediately wiped Vivienne with a napkin, “I’m sorry, miss, I’m so sorry.”

Vivienne got up and looked at her.

That maid looked all guilty under her gaze, quickly saying, “Miss, let me take you to change.”

Vivienne’s mouth curled ever so slightly. “Am I changing into your clothes?”

Before the maid could respond, Arabella suddenly stepped in, “Into my clothes, sis. I’m sorry, the

servant has been careless. I’ll fetch you a new set, could you change in the room downstairs?”

“Ha ha!” Percival laughed.

A glass in one hand, the other resting on the edge of his wheelchair, he said mockingly, “Oh, the

Hawthorn family sure has its own rules.”

Arabella’s face flushed slightly. She could clearly tell that Percival was mocking her, an adopted girl

playing the part of a noble lady, while the real noble lady Vivienne was to change in the servant’s

quarter?

Arabella clenched her fist tight, suppressing her inner dissatisfaction, she still managed a smile, “Sister,

you might have misunderstood…”

“Take me there.” Arabella hadn’t finished her sentences when Vivienne calmly cut her off.

“What?” Arabella was taken aback.

“Aren’t you taking me to change clothes? Let’s go then.” Vivienne’s bright eyes locked onto Arabella, a

faint smile never leaving her lips.

Arabella felt uneasy under her gaze. Did she find out something?

No, impossible!

She’s just a girl from the countryside, what could she possibly find out?

With that thought, Arabella didn’t say more, and led Vivienne to the servant’s room.