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.

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

family. It wasn’t a big to-do, but the Ellingtons all

drawn the attention of all

glory that should have belonged to Arabella, and that didn’t

should look in the

while the Hawthorns were still milling

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Chapter 76

to voicemail, so Dorian was climbing the walls.

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

leave.”

snap back at him like that, and he got all huffy. “I’m your brother. How

shot back, fuming. “If you dare badmouth my daughter again, I’ll

nearby, frowned. “Dorian, that’s

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 all seriously

was truly pissed

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

been underway for ten minutes, and she was still MIA.

but these people were still blabbering on about how Vivienne was rude and

but found himself

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

command, Michael and Joseph

important day, and Vivienne’s tardiness is unacceptable. The Ellingtons are

say something, but Beatrice cut him off. “Go

talk!”

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

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

I’m really worried

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Chapter 76

24 hours yet, so even if we report to the police, they can’t do anything.” Cordella

Vivienne.”

then nodded. “Alright,

were about to approach Richard, they saw

“My grandpa sent me to ask when’s the shindig