The Million-Dollar Heart

Chapter 76

Dorian and Cordelia looked pretty peeved.

Their outfits were freshly bought and cost them a grand. Splurging a thousand bucks on clothes was a bit much for them, but for their daughter Vivienne, they bit the bullet and paid

They didn’t expect even that to earn them the stink eye.

Today was the engagement party, and the whole Hawthorn clan was there. They were all dolled up to the nines.

If you didn’t know better, you’d think the Hawthorns were hosting the show.

Dorian was a bit miffed, but hey, it was Vivienne’s party, so he kept his trap shut.

There were four tables set for the party.

Three were hogged by the Hawthorns.

The Ellingtons took up one table. Aside from Richard, the rest of the Ellington crew was there

too.

Their group wasn’t big. They were just enough to fill one table.

The party was supposed to kick off at noon, but as the clock ticked closer, Vivienne was still

a no-show.

Cordelia and Dorian had been blowing up Vivienne’s phone, but she never answered.

“What’s Vivienne’s deal? She’s late for her own engagement party and is keeping all these elders waiting. What gives?” Joseph Hawthorn was still sore from Vivienne’s previous scheme, and he hadn’t been able to smooth things over with Octavia yet, so seeing Vivienne playing hooky didn’t do him any favors.

bumpkin. She wouldn’t know manners if they hit her in the face. She’s probably trying to embarrass us on purpose now that she’s engaged to Mr. Ellington.” Alisa Hawthorn grumbled, sounding

hosted by Dorian’s family. It wasn’t a big to-do, but the

drawn the attention of all

away the glory that should have belonged to Arabella, and

us! She should look in the mirror

already shuffled into the private room, while the Hawthorns were still milling about outside, so Percival

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Chapter 76

voicemail, so Dorian

do to you?

leave.”

Dorian to snap back at him like that, and he got all huffy. “I’m your brother. How dare you talk to me like that?

shot back, fuming. “If you dare badmouth my daughter again, I’ll kick you out! I don’t need a brother

standing nearby, frowned. “Dorian, that’s out

Dorian retorted. “Who among the whole lot of you here today genuinely wishes well for my daughter? Have any of you given her any gifts? And now you’re blaming her for not following the

was truly

she said she’d be back before the engagement party, she’d be

minutes, and she was still MIA. Something must have

out, but these people were still blabbering on about how Vivienne was

was ticked off too, but found himself at a

cut in sharply. “The Ellingtons are all in

Michael and Joseph

a glare and then turned to Dorian. “Don’t blame your brothers for speaking harshly. It’s an important day, and Vivienne’s tardiness is unacceptable. The

say something, but Beatrice cut him off. “Go

talk!”

really think she wanted to be here? If it weren’t for the Ellingtons’ bridal gift, she

and whispered, “Don’t argue with them.

but she’s not picking up. I’m really

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Chapter 76

we report to the police, they can’t do anything.” Cordella thought

Vivienne.”

for a moment and then nodded. “Alright,

they were about to approach

greeted them. “My grandpa sent