The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 18

Inside the old Hawthorn family manor.

Arabella rushed back to the house, barely steady on her feet. She blurted out, “Granny, Dad has rented a house, and it’s in Tranquil Estates!”

“What?”

Beatrice, Michael, and Joseph all shot up from their seats, their faces showing utter disbelief as they stared at Arabella.

Beatrice was the first to recover, barely keeping her surprise under control. “Are you sure? Tranquil Estates doesn’t usually rent to outsiders.”

Arabella looked serious. “I asked the security staff in the residential area. They did rent it, and the rent is ridiculously low. It’s practically a giveaway”

Beatrice stayed silent, her eyebrows furrowed. After a while, she said, “Michael, look into who the landlord of that house is. No matter what it takes, we need to drive them out. The engagement deadline the Ellington family gave us is approaching fast. We can’t afford any mistakes”

Michael responded, “I’m on it.”

Arabella frowned slightly. After a pause, she said, “Grandma, I have an idea, but…..

“What idea? Let’s hear it,” Beatrice asked quickly.

Arabella leaned in to whisper in Beatrice’s ear. A smile spread across Beatrice’s face. “Good, that’s a good idea. Let’s do that.”

“But isn’t this a bit unfair to Vivienne?” Arabella hesitated

“Who cares what she thinks? She’s just a nobody to me. If this marriage falls through, what does Vivienne have to do with the Hawthorn family?” A cold glint flashed in Beatrice’s eyes.

Til follow your lead then.” Arabella lowered her head, a sly smile flickering in her eyes. But no one saw it.

to go jogging. It was something she’d been doing for ten years. Just as she got to the entrance of the residential area, she ran

immediately walked up to

nonchalant glance. “What’s up?”

to now? Didn’t she

guys were staying at a motel? How did you end up

She decided to play along

Vivienne’s cooperation, but she quickly recovered. “You mean, you’re living here?

raised an eyebrow.

Tranquil Estates?” Arabella chuckled. “Vivienne, I know you just moved to the city and everything is new to

smirked, “So where do you

motel? You should just go

one of the girls next to Arabella blurted out, “Arabella,

Coral, the daughter of the Lockwood family. Though the Lockwoods weren’t as prominent as the Hawthorns in Havenwood,

like Coral, but she couldn’t ignore the Lockwood family “She’s my sister” Arabella

mouth. “Look at her clothes. They probably cost less than

lowered her gaze and whispered, “Coral, don’t talk like that. She’s still my sister, and I’m just an adopted daughter

Coral retorted immediately. “Even if you’re adopted, the Hawthorns prefer you. You’re so outstanding, why wouldn’t they? And what if

girl chimed in, “Yeah, you’re famously talented in Havenwood. How could you be compared to

pockets, slanting her eyes at them with a smirk. Were these people here

your adoptive father get kicked out of the Hawthorn family? How did she get into the residential area?” Coral demanded.

and defended Vivienne. “Maybe she saw how luxurious the neighborhood was

to Vivienne and advised, “Vivienne, once you finish sightseeing, please leave. This is not a place everyone can just

stood there, hands in her pockets, watching her with

could see right through her. Could she have figured out why she was here? No way! Vivienne was just a girl who grew up in the Emerald Monastery. She’d supposedly been living

cool! I need to check if anything’s missing from my