The Million-Dollar Heart

On the surface, Jeffrey was criticizing Dorian's family for lacking proper lineage. However, he was clearly mocking Vivienne for not having a reputable background-a nobody taken in from the wild. Cordelia's eyes brimmed with tears, and Dorian was fuming, but this was the Ellington Mansion's grand hall, and he could not very well throw a fit and ruin the birthday celebration.

Vivienne's brow furrowed. Messing with her family was akin to poking a sleeping bear.

But this was Richard's milestone birthday, and despite her irritation with Jeffrey, she gave Richard the respect he deserved by not causing a scene.

She stepped forward, slipping her arm through Cordelia's, saying, "Mom, Dad, as long as you'll have me, I'll always be your daughter. As for the barking of some dogs, we needn't bother with them." Her voice was just loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.

Jeffrey bellowed, "Vivienne, who are you calling a dog?"

"The one responding," Vivienne replied coolly.

"You think I don't dare to slap you for that?" Jeffrey, unaccustomed to such disrespect, advanced towards Vivienne.

Before he could lay a hand on her, Richard's cane came crashing down.

"You little bastard, what nonsense are you spewing? You think you can hit Vivienne? I'll whip you myself! Useless trash!" Richard brandished his cane, chasing after Jeffrey.

Fiona cursed under her breath. She thought he might have some sense, but this was his grand idea to infuriate Vivienne into lashing out. Yet he was the one to lose his cool first.

Both Percival and Richard treated Vivienne like a treasure-how could they let her be humiliated?

Even if it meant causing a scene at the birthday event, they would not stand by and let Vivienne be scorned!

This useless fool, always botching things up!

Nevertheless, she stepped forward, taking hold of Richard. "Grandpa, please calm down. Jeffrey didn't mean any harm. He just doesn't know how to speak. Jeffrey, aren't you going to apologize to Cordelia and Vivienne?"

Richard stood on the stage, fuming, and even shouted at Jeffrey, "Let me tell you, Vivienne is my beloved granddaughter-in-law. Her family is my family. Now go apologize to my in-laws, or I swear I'll break your legs today!"

was reluctant, unable to believe that Richard would actually humiliate him in front of so

could not accept

Pretending to be high society? You think a fancy dress makes you one of us?" Jeffrey scoffed at Vivienne, "Not to mention jewelry.

inwardly, "Idiot, will you never

talk like that," Fiona tugged at Jeffrey, apologizing to Vivienne, "I'm sorry, Vivienne. Maybe you should take your family and leave for now." Percival's stern face showed a flicker of coldness as

realizing

I meant. I just thought continuing like this wouldn't look good,

a cold voice, "The ones who should leave are you, not

surrounding him, particularly when he addressed her as 'Sis,' sending a shiver down Fiona's

up, "Vivienne's just a country bumpkin! What's wrong with what I said? She can't even afford proper jewelry, let alone understand it!" Fiona's hand

Fool!

his pig brain even come up

salvage the situation, and he was

a

looked at Fiona in disbelief.

Jeffrey by the collar and tossed him out

of bones

deep, cold gaze turned to Jeffrey outside the hall, his eyes as sharp as

for Grandpa's birthday today, he

blame me for not being polite!" Percival swept a cold glance across the crowd, his commanding presence silencing them.

not afford to sacrifice the whole

I apologize on behalf of my brother. We're sorry." Vivienne remained