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 now that she’s engaged to Mr.

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

the

that should have belonged to Arabella, and that didn’t sit right

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

the private room, while the Hawthorns were still milling about outside,

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Chapter 76

every call to voicemail, so Dorian was climbing

you’ve been on her case. What did she ever do to you? And by the way, you weren’t even invited to this party. If you can’t wait, feel free

leave.”

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 you out! I don’t need

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

of line?” 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

was truly

was a level-headed kid. If she said she’d be back before

now, the party had been underway for ten minutes, and

was freaking out, but these people were still blabbering on about how Vivienne was rude and ill-mannered. Did they think he was

Michael was ticked off too, but found himself at

are all in the private room, and we’re out

Michael and Joseph

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 no

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

talk!”

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

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

not picking up. I’m really worried something might have happened

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Chapter 76

they can’t do anything.” Cordella thought for a moment before suggesting, “Let’s ask Richard for help. He has a wide network.

Vivienne.”

then nodded. “Alright, let’s ask

approach Richard, they saw Thomas wheeling Percival

grandpa sent me