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 the entrance of the residential area, she ran into Arabella and her two classmates, who were

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

nonchalant glance.

to now? Didn’t she already know they

Arabella feigned fear of Vivienne, whispering, “I thought you guys were staying at a

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

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

eyebrow. “Tranquil

that outsiders aren’t allowed in Tranquil Estates?” Arabella chuckled. “Vivienne, I know you just moved to the city and everything is new to you, but this is not the place for you. You

do you

guys staying at a motel? You should just go back there,” Arabella suggested casually.

Vivienne could respond, one of the girls next to Arabella blurted

was Coral, the daughter of the Lockwood family. Though the Lockwoods weren’t as prominent as the Hawthorns in Havenwood, they still held a significant status, and Coral’s two brothers were both

couldn’t ignore the Lockwood family “She’s my sister” Arabella

“Look at her clothes. They probably

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

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 family? She’s still been driven out, hasn’t

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

her eyes at them with a smirk. Were

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

saw how luxurious the neighborhood was and

not a place everyone can just enter. If someone loses something, it’ll be hard to

in her

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

“That’s not cool! I need to check if anything’s missing