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

and switched his phone to

our admission criteria. Do you agree to his enrollment?” The assistant principal asked, sounding a tad exasperated. Any other person, and she would not have repeated herself so many times. But

she would change her mind that he answered quickly and loudly.

deliver the related documents

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

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

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

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

Vivienne is truly a lucky charm!” Cordelia was all smiles. “Ever since Vivienne came back, we’ve not only moved into Tranquil Estates,

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

In the afternoon.

Hawthorn family’s

of the table, with Joseph

Dorian? Why haven’t

agree soon, or

principal and the teacher had been

Monastery since she was a child? She had heard that Vivienne hadn’t left

to share the perfume formula, the company’s performance has plummeted. Now, only our old customers still use our perfume.

“What’s the rush? Haven’t I taught you anything? You have to stay calm to succeed.”

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