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.

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

Arabella immediately walked up to her. “Vivienne? What are

a nonchalant glance. “What’s up?”

now? Didn’t she already

Arabella feigned fear of Vivienne, whispering, “I thought you guys were staying at a motel? How did you end

replied, amused. She decided to play along with Arabella’s

was taken aback by Vivienne’s cooperation, but she quickly recovered. “You mean, you’re living

an eyebrow. “Tranquil

is new to you, but this is

smirked, “So where do you

motel? You should just go

could respond, one of the girls next to

prominent as the Hawthorns in Havenwood, they still held a significant status, and Coral’s

ignore the Lockwood family “She’s

Coral laughed, covering her mouth. “Look at her clothes. They probably cost less than fifty bucks total. Arabella, you’re like night and day compared to

whispered, “Coral, don’t talk like that. She’s still my sister, and

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

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

shoved her hands into her pockets, slanting her eyes at them with a smirk. Were these people here to stir up trouble on purpose?

out of the Hawthorn family? How

how luxurious the neighborhood was and wanted

is not a place

there, hands in her

jittery under her gaze. It was as if she 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 there for the past decade. There was no way she could read her like a book

snapped. “That’s not cool! I