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.”

and switched his

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 change her mind that he answered quickly and loudly.

out today. I will arrange for someone to deliver the related documents to your home.” After that, the

Dorian’s arm. “Dorian, is it true? Is it really true?

Blossom Nursery! That was a school that money couldn’t buy! A school that even

had tried to get Michael and Joseph’s son into that nursery school but failed despite pulling many strings. Rumor had it that Joseph’s son was preparing to take the entrance exam for Imperial Blossom Nursery again.

true! It’s true!” Dorian felt like he was dreaming. He never thought that

only moved into Tranquil

over to hug and kiss Vivienne. Sensing her intentions, Vivienne thought to herself, “Please don’t! I don’t want

In the afternoon.

the Hawthorn family’s old mansion.

head of the table, with

Dorian? Why haven’t we heard anything?” Michael

three days. We need to get Dorian to agree soon, or this marriage is off,” Joseph said, looking at Beatrice.

nursery school principal had called her yesterday to say that their plan had failed. The three people they had hired had been arrested, and the principal and the teacher had been fired. As the mastermind, she had to get those three out. Thankfully, not

at the Emerald Monastery since she was a child? She had heard that Vivienne hadn’t left there for ten

Michael said anxiously. “Ever since Dorian refused to share the perfume formula, the company’s performance has plummeted. Now, only our old customers still use our

the rush? Haven’t I taught you

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

even answer my calls. How am I supposed to find out anything?” Joseph was irritated. He had called Dorian many times over the past few days, but Dorian never picked up. He’d tried everything, but Dorian just refused to

on cue, the nanny walked in. “Beatrice, there are two people at the door. They say they’re from Imperial Blossom Nursery. They’ve brought