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.

face. She’s probably trying to embarrass

a big to-do, but the Ellingtons all showed

drawn the attention of

away the glory that should have belonged to Arabella, and

She’s embarrassing us! She should

Ellingtons had already shuffled into the private room, while the Hawthorns were still milling about

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Chapter 76

phone was still sending every call to voicemail, so Dorian

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

leave.”

him like that, and he got all huffy. “I’m your brother. How dare you

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

standing nearby, frowned. “Dorian,

Have any of you given her any gifts? And now you’re blaming her for not following the rules? Shouldn’t you, as

was truly pissed

She was a level-headed kid. If she

for ten minutes, and

people were still blabbering on about how Vivienne was

off too, but found himself at

bickering!” Beatrice cut in sharply. “The Ellingtons are all in the

Beatrice’s command, Michael and

“Don’t blame your brothers for speaking harshly. It’s an important day,

tried to say something, but Beatrice

talk!”

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

and whispered, “Don’t argue with them.

I’m really worried something might have happened to her.”

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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

Vivienne.”

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

to approach Richard, they saw Thomas

them. “My grandpa sent me