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.

Vivienne’s just a country 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

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

alone had drawn the attention

the glory that should have belonged

she think she is? She’s embarrassing us! She should look in

the private room, while the Hawthorns were still milling about outside, so Percival didn’t catch Joseph’s

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Chapter 76

call to voicemail, so Dorian was

do to you? And by the way, you weren’t even invited to

leave.”

and he got all huffy. “I’m your brother. How dare you talk to

fuming. “If you dare badmouth my daughter again, I’ll kick you out! I

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

“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 rules? Shouldn’t you, as her relatives, be more concerned about her safety? You

was truly pissed

level-headed kid. If she

underway for ten minutes,

blabbering on about how Vivienne was rude and ill-mannered. Did

off too, but found himself

in the private room, and

Michael and Joseph clammed

to Dorian. “Don’t blame your brothers for speaking harshly. It’s an important day, and Vivienne’s tardiness is unacceptable. The Ellingtons are waiting, and if she’s late, people will say the Hawthorns have

something, but Beatrice

talk!”

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

whispered, “Don’t argue with them. Let’s try to

many times, but she’s not picking up. I’m really worried something might have

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Chapter 76

night. It hasn’t been 24 hours yet, so even if we report to the police, they can’t do anything.” Cordella thought for a moment before suggesting, “Let’s ask Richard for help. He has a wide network. Maybe he can help us

Vivienne.”

a moment and then nodded.

they were about to approach Richard,

grandpa sent me to ask when’s