The Million-Dollar Heart

Chapter 16

Day two

Just past eight in the morning, Dorian and his family were having breakfast when his cell phone rang. The caller ID showed a number he didn’t recognize Lately, Dorian had been getting a lot of calls from unknown numbers, so he was used to it. Most of them were from companies responding to his job applications. Usually, it was something like, “Sorry, Mr. Hawthorn, you don’t meet our recruitment criteria.”

Dorian sighed and answered the call.

“Are you Thaddeus‘ father?” The person on the other end of the line asked, in a friendly tone.

1 am Who’s this?” Dorian responded, while passing Vivienne her breakfast.

Tm the assistant principal at Imperial Blossom Nursery. We’d like to invite Thaddeus to join our school. Is that OK with you?”

Dorian froze, fork in hand. After a pause, he asked, his voice shaky. “Who did you say you are?”

Tm the assistant principal at Imperial Blossom Nursery.” The voice on the other end was still friendly.

Dorian’s mouth dropped open, and he jumped up excitedly. “Imperial Blossom Nursery? You mean, you want my Thaddeus to join your school?” Cordelia also jumped up, equally excited.

Vivienne just looked up and continued to enjoy her fried egg. She turned to Thaddeus, who was looking at her, passed him a piece of toast, and moved the blueberry jam in front of him, whispering, “Eat up, you’re too skinny”

and said politely,

staring at him excitedly and

exasperated. Any other person, and she would

agreed!” Dorian was so afraid that she would

will arrange for someone to deliver the related documents to your home.”

call ended, Cordelia excitedly grabbed Dorian’s arm. “Dorian, is it true? Is it really true? Thaddeus… got into

was a school that money couldn’t buy! A school that even connections

many strings. Rumor had it that Joseph’s son was preparing to take the entrance exam for

true! It’s true!” Dorian felt like he was dreaming. He never thought that such unbelievable good fortune would come their way

not only moved into Tranquil Estates, but Thaddeus also

that she almost ran over to hug and kiss Vivienne. Sensing her intentions, Vivienne thought to herself, “Please don’t! I don’t want

In the afternoon.

family’s

at the head of the table, with Joseph and

with Dorian? Why haven’t we

We need to get Dorian to agree soon, or this

and the teacher had been fired. As the mastermind, she had to get those three out. Thankfully, not many people knew about the

since she was a child? She had heard that Vivienne hadn’t left there for ten years and

this,” Michael said anxiously. “Ever since Dorian refused to share the perfume formula, the company’s performance has plummeted. Now, only our old customers still use our perfume. If we don’t invest

the rush? Haven’t I taught you anything? You have

put down her teacup and turned to Joseph. “Joseph, your relationship with Dorian is still