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.

She’s probably trying to embarrass us on purpose

It wasn’t a big to-do, but the Ellingtons all showed up in million-dollar luxury

had drawn the attention of all of

had snatched away the glory that should have belonged to Arabella, and that

she is? She’s embarrassing us! She should look in the mirror before she

while the Hawthorns were still milling about outside, so Percival didn’t

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Chapter 76

to voicemail, so Dorian was climbing the walls. Joseph’s

on her case. What did she ever do to you? And by the way, you weren’t even invited to

leave.”

that, and he got all huffy.

be my brother, but you’re not my dad!” Dorian shot back, fuming. “If you dare badmouth my daughter again, I’ll kick

frowned. “Dorian,

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

was truly pissed off

was a level-headed kid. If she said she’d be back before the engagement party, she’d

had been underway for ten minutes,

people were still blabbering on about how Vivienne was rude and ill-mannered. Did they think

off too, but found himself at a loss

Ellingtons are all in the private room, and we’re out here squabbling.

Beatrice’s command, Michael

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

say something, but Beatrice cut him off. “Go find

talk!”

wanted to be here? If it weren’t for the Ellingtons’

at Dorian and whispered, “Don’t argue with

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

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Chapter 76

police, they can’t do anything.” Cordella thought for a moment

Vivienne.”

for a moment and then nodded. “Alright, let’s ask Richard

approach Richard, they saw Thomas wheeling

sent me