The Million-Dollar Heart

Chapter 171

Hazel felt a sudden chill creep up her scalp, and she quietly took two steps back, hoping to sneak off the runway unnoticed.

Mike, who had been engrossed in admiring a strapless gown, finally looked up to see the young, talented designer standing next to him. But upon recognizing the impatient expression on Vivienne’s face, he exclaimed in surprise, “Master Charles! Is that you?”

The room fell into a stunned silence.

“What? Mr. Ellington’s fiancée is Master Charles?”

“How is that possible? Mike must have mistaken her for someone else.”

From the runway below, Arabella had been urging Judith to stop Vivienne, but she hadn’t made a move to actually do it herself.

She was hoping that Vivienne would offend Mike, leading to a breakdown in the partnership between the Edwards family and Mike. This would not only ruin Vivienne’s reputation but also earn her the enmity of the Edwards family.

If Vivienne’s arrogance led to not only her own downfall but also strained the relationship between the Ellington Group and the Edwards Group, would the Ellington family still want such a troublesome daughter–in–law?

Arabella had her plan all figured out, and when Mike stormed towards Vivienne in anger, she thought her wish was about to come true.

But to her surprise, not only did Mike praise Vivienne’s altered design, he even called her “Master Charles.”

This Mike must have lost his mind!

She stepped forward and addressed Mike. “Mr. Mike, my sister grew up in a humble monastery and has never touched fashion design. How could she possibly be Master Charles? You must have mistaken her for someone else.”

“How could I possibly mistake her?” Mike gave Arabella a strange look and replied. “When my creativity hit a roadblock years ago, it was Master Charles who inspired me and led to my success today. She is like my mentor. Who would mistake their own mentor?”

He then pointed at the obedient Italian model who had been following Vivienne’s instructions to the tee.

it wasn’t for her respect for Master Charles and knowing my relationship with Charles, would she have so patiently let others touch my clothes?” This statement set the

Vivienne really

“No way. That’s unbelievable.”

the runway just raised an eyebrow at Mike and

that of an elder addressing a

“After all this time, you

seemed much like a frost–bitten eggplant, and he even looked a bit like a chastised child. “I know I’ve hit a creative block. I’ve been wanting to seek your

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proof enough that Vivienne was indeed

was either dumbfounded

surprised, his lips slightly parted in astonishment. His

many more surprises

seemed delighted

dared openly confront her and Percival due to their

poor judgment for choosing an arrogant

would make a fool of herself today and that the Ellington

and was scouting

Rumors!

poker friends that she had set her heart on Vivienne as

must be spreading rumors about her. Next time they meet, she’ll give them a good

had not only proven her taste and ability, but she was also

about maintaining her ladylike demeanor,

ear to ear.

designed by Charles

if they were willing to pay a high price. They

be knocking on their door, hoping for Vivienne to design clothes for

face, showing no surprise at the revelation of

face was a picture of discontent. She stole a

of red wine in his hand, looking up at the radiant Vivienne on the runway. He held his glass in a

a smile. Their eyes met, and it was a