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 politely, “Thanks, Vivienne.”

excitedly and switched his phone

The assistant principal asked, sounding a tad exasperated. Any other person, and she would not have repeated herself

that she would change her mind that he answered quickly and

for someone to deliver the related documents to your home.” After that, the assistant

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

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

school but failed despite pulling many strings. Rumor had it that

was dreaming. He never thought that such unbelievable good fortune would come their way

lucky charm!” Cordelia was all smiles. “Ever since Vivienne came back, we’ve not only moved into Tranquil Estates, but Thaddeus also got into Imperial Blossom Nursery Vivienne is our family’s lucky

Vivienne. Sensing her intentions,

In the afternoon.

the Hawthorn family’s old

the head of the table, with Joseph and Michael on either side

with Dorian? Why haven’t we heard

We need to get Dorian to agree soon, or this marriage is off,” Joseph said, looking at

had hired had been arrested, and the principal and the teacher had been fired. As the mastermind, she had to get those three out.

heard that Vivienne hadn’t left there for

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

in a low voice, “What’s the rush? Haven’t I taught you anything? You have to stay calm to

and turned to Joseph. “Joseph, your relationship with Dorian is still good. Why don’t you check on