The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 16

Day two

Just past eight in the morning, Dorian and his family were having breakfast when his cell phone rang. The caller ID showed a number he didn’t recognize Lately, Dorian had been getting a lot of calls from unknown numbers, so he was used to it. Most of them were from companies responding to his job applications. Usually, it was something like, “Sorry, Mr. Hawthorn, you don’t meet our recruitment criteria.”

Dorian sighed and answered the call.

“Are you Thaddeus‘ father?” The person on the other end of the line asked, in a friendly tone.

1 am Who’s this?” Dorian responded, while passing Vivienne her breakfast.

Tm the assistant principal at Imperial Blossom Nursery. We’d like to invite Thaddeus to join our school. Is that OK with you?”

Dorian froze, fork in hand. After a pause, he asked, his voice shaky. “Who did you say you are?”

Tm the assistant principal at Imperial Blossom Nursery.” The voice on the other end was still friendly.

Dorian’s mouth dropped open, and he jumped up excitedly. “Imperial Blossom Nursery? You mean, you want my Thaddeus to join your school?” Cordelia also jumped up, equally excited.

Vivienne just looked up and continued to enjoy her fried egg. She turned to Thaddeus, who was looking at her, passed him a piece of toast, and moved the blueberry jam in front of him, whispering, “Eat up, you’re too skinny”

Thaddeus smiled at her and said politely, “Thanks, Vivienne.”

excitedly and switched his phone

Do you agree to his enrollment?” The assistant principal asked, sounding a tad exasperated. Any other person, and she would not have repeated herself so many times. But this was Thaddeus! The higher–ups had personally ordered his admission. So, she had to

course, agreed!” Dorian was so afraid that she would

deliver the related documents to

arm. “Dorian, is it true? Is it

school that money couldn’t

strings. Rumor had it that Joseph’s son was preparing to take the entrance exam for Imperial Blossom

he was dreaming. He never thought that such unbelievable good fortune would

a lucky charm!” Cordelia was all smiles. “Ever since Vivienne came back, we’ve not only moved into Tranquil Estates, but Thaddeus also got into

Sensing

In the afternoon.

family’s

head of the table, with Joseph and Michael on either

haven’t we heard

soon, or this marriage is

teacher had been fired.

Monastery since she was a child? She had heard that Vivienne hadn’t left

the perfume formula, the company’s performance has plummeted. Now, only our old customers still use our perfume. If we don’t invest in researching a new formula soon, the company won’t

a low voice, “What’s the rush?

turned to Joseph. “Joseph, your relationship with Dorian is still good. Why don’t you check on

supposed to find out anything?” Joseph was irritated. He had called Dorian many times over the past few days,

at the door. They say they’re from Imperial Blossom