The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 8

At the entrance of the mall.

Seeing Vivienne being stubborn, Arabella angrily walked off with the two girls next to her. She definitely

didn’t want to get in trouble because of Vivienne.

After Vivienne gave the little girl an injection, her breathing gradually became steady. Just then, the

ambulance arrived at the scene. She removed the silver needles from the girl’s body and placed them

in a needle box. She then reassured the middle–aged woman, “She’s out of danger for now, but she

still needs to be taken to the hospital for further treatment.”

After saying that, Vivienne stood up to leave.

“I’m from the Hawthorn family.” She dropped this line before she turned and left.

When Percival and his group arrived, they just caught a glimpse of Vivienne’s retreating figure. This

time, he was in a wheelchair, being pushed by Thomas. Percival watched Vivienne’s back, feeling a

sense of familiarity. Before he could think more about it, Leopold had already reached Isolde and

asked, “Isolde, how are you doing?”

Isolde gave him a weak smile. “Leopold, I’m fine. A lady just saved me. She was amazing.”

Isolde was still semi–conscious when Vivienne first arrived.

“A lady?” Leopold was a bit puzzled.

“Yes, a beautiful lady. She gave me a pill and I felt better. And…” Isolde’s voice grew excited. “She

used a few needles on me. It was a bit painful but I felt so much better.”

Leopold was taken aback, then laughed, “Well, she can’t be better than Mystic Mistress.” In his heart,

Mystic Mistress was unrivaled.

Percival glanced back at the figure disappearing into the distance, deep in thought.

“I’m sorry. I got you worried.” Seeing Percival’s silence, Isolde thought he was angry and cautiously

apologized.

Percival looked into her clear eyes, and all his anger and worry vanished. He gently patted Isolde’s

head, his voice gentle, “Let’s go to the hospital first.”

In the VIP ward of the hospital.

Bruce burst into the room, his handsome face filled with excitement. “Mr. Ellington, good news, the

toxins in Isolde’s body have been reduced by more than half.”

He was Isolde’s personal doctor and only responsible for her condition. He had also come to

Havenwood with Isolde, but Isolde, due to her insecurities about her appearance, tended to avoid

people. So he usually didn’t appear in front of her. He had therefore not accompanied them to the mall.

Leopold shot up from his seat, staring at Bruce in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

Percival’s eyes also showed a hint of surprise. “Are you sure?”

“Yes!” Bruce handed Percival the medical report, his voice filled with excitement. “Not only that, the

pus–filled boil near Isolde’s eye has also disappeared.” Hearing this, Leopold’s eyes widened. “The boil

is gone? Are you kidding?”

Though Isolde was not conventionally beautiful, she wasn’t born this way. At the age of two, Isolde was

poisoned, which caused many boils and sores to appear on her face. The poison was so strong that

even after three years of continued medical investigation, they still couldn’t identify what the toxin was.

Let alone control its spread. In fact, if they couldn’t find an antidote, Isolde might not survive past this

Christmas.

Percival found this deeply troubling. Few knew that he should have been the one poisoned, but his

sister had taken the blow for him.

“How could I joke about something like this?” Bruce retorted. “I’ve double-checked. The toxins in her

body have indeed been reduced by more than half.”

Bruce turned to Percival, asking excitedly, “Mr. Ellington, which doctor did you find? They’re incredible.”

He had been studying medicine since he was young and was one of the few medical prodigies of his

time, but he was helpless when it came to Isolde’s condition. This was a huge blow to him, so hearing

that someone was able to reduce Isolde’s toxins by half made him very excited. He also saw this as an

opportunity to learn and discuss the matter.

Percival’s eyes flickered as he looked at Isolde, then asked Eartha, “Did the person who saved Isolde

today leave a name?”

After thinking for a moment, Eartha replied, “She only said she was from the Hawthorn family. I didn’t

get the chance to ask more before she left.”

“From the Hawthorn family?” Leopold pondered for a moment, then said, “The only Hawthorn family in

Havenwood is Arabella’s family. Did Arabella save her?”

Thinking of this, Leopold slapped his thigh. “Right, it must be her. I heard Arabella has been studying

medicine with Dr. William, and she’s very beautiful too. That aligns with Isolde’s description.”

Percival said nothing.

Leopold laughed and walked up to him, joking, “Mr. Ellington, why don’t you make use of your good

looks and marry Ms. Hawthorn?”

Percival looked up at him, then smacked him across the face. “Get lost.”

He felt a headache coming on. Since he had agreed to call off the engagement, there was no turning

back. He was silent for a moment, then said, “Thomas, prepare some gifts to send to the Hawthorn

family’s house. Say they’re from me.”

Normally, he should go in person. But he thought the lady from the Hawthorn family might not want to

see a disabled person like him.

At Tranquil Estates.

When Vivienne returned home, Dorian and Cordelia were sitting motionless on the couch, their

expressions carrying a hint of tension. Vivienne poured a glass of water, looking at them, “What’s up

with you guys?”

Chapter 8

Dorian, upon seeing Vivienne, immediately stood up and grabbed her arm, saying excitedly, “Slap me,

quick!”

Vivienne silently withdrew her hand, coughed lightly, “What’s bothering you?”

“I feel like I’m dreaming.” Dorian looked at the house, cleared his throat, and said, “I did a quick search,

and the furniture alone in this house costs a few thousand dollars. And they’re renting this amazing

place to us for just fifty dollars a month. You tell me, is this some kind of trap?”

While speaking, Dorian glanced towards the door, then whispered, “Should we run for it? If the

scammer shows up with his henchmen, we wouldn’t be able to escape.

Vivienne’s mouth twitched, wondering if they were paranoid or something. She patted Dorian’s

shoulder, “Mr. Hawthorn, we’re at Tranquil Estates now.”

Dorian blinked, “I know. The most luxurious neighborhood in Havenwood.”

“Do you think anyone would dare to conduct such illegal pyramid schemes in such a high–end area?”

Vivienne was somewhat helpless.

“After all, you’re the son of the Hawthorn family, and you’ve seen a lot. Why are you so nervous about a

house?”

Dorian was stumped, “You’re right.”

He paused for a moment, then asked again, “But why is the landlord renting this apartment to us so

cheaply?” He couldn’t figure it out.

Vivienne rubbed her temples, “Didn’t the agent tell you? The landlord needs someone to look after the

house?”

“But isn’t fifty dollars a month too little?”

Vivienne chuckled, “Maybe the landlord is ‘rich and kind–hearted“.”

“That makes sense. The landlord is indeed rich and kind–hearted.” Dorian nodded.

‘Rich and kind–hearted‘ Vivienne said – no, she was not kind–hearted at all. And she was broke. But

what could she do? Her father was a penniless man. Cordelia, who had been nervous on the side, also

relaxed, “Since there’s nothing wrong with the house, let’s just live here with peace of mind. We’re able

to live in such a nice house, it must be because of the good luck Vivienne brings us.”