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”

her and said

him excitedly and

tad exasperated. Any other person, and she would not have repeated herself so many times. But this was Thaddeus! The higher–ups had personally ordered his admission. So, she had

she would change her mind that he answered quickly

please don’t go out today. I will arrange for someone to deliver the related documents to

call ended, Cordelia excitedly grabbed Dorian’s arm. “Dorian, is it true? Is

school that money couldn’t buy! A school that even connections couldn’t get you

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

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

came back, we’ve not only moved into Tranquil Estates, but Thaddeus also got into Imperial Blossom Nursery

Vivienne. Sensing her intentions, Vivienne thought to herself, “Please don’t! I don’t want to

In the afternoon.

Hawthorn family’s old mansion.

with

with Dorian? Why haven’t we heard anything?” Michael

Dorian to agree soon, or

teacher had been fired.

Vivienne hadn’t left there for ten years and probably hadn’t been to school, so who taught her

something! We can’t let the marriage with the Ellington family slip away like 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 in researching a new formula

her eyes and said in a low voice, “What’s the rush? Haven’t

to Joseph. “Joseph, your relationship with Dorian