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.

the face. She’s probably trying to embarrass us on purpose now that she’s engaged to Mr. Ellington.” Alisa Hawthorn grumbled,

a big to-do, but the Ellingtons all showed up

alone had drawn the attention of all of

should have belonged to Arabella,

should look in the mirror before she acts high and mighty!”

shuffled into the private room, while the Hawthorns were still

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Chapter 76

call to voicemail, so Dorian was climbing the walls.

to you? And by the way, you

leave.”

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

Dorian shot back, fuming. “If you dare badmouth my daughter again, I’ll kick you out! I don’t need a brother

frowned. “Dorian, that’s

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

truly

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

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

on about how Vivienne was

ticked off too, but

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

Beatrice’s command, Michael and Joseph clammed

a glare and then turned to Dorian. “Don’t blame your brothers for speaking harshly. It’s an important day,

to say something, but Beatrice cut him

talk!”

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

at Dorian and whispered, “Don’t argue with them. Let’s try to reach Vivienne

calling her many times, but she’s not picking up. I’m really worried something might have happened to her.” Dorian

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Chapter 76

last 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

Vivienne.”

and then nodded.

as they were about to approach Richard,

sent me to