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 to the entrance of the residential area, she ran into Arabella and her two classmates, who were invited over to someone’s

immediately walked up to her. “Vivienne? What

her a nonchalant glance. “What’s

Didn’t she already know they lived here?

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

She decided to

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

an eyebrow.

you just moved to the city and everything is new to you, but this is not the place for you. You better leave before

do you want

motel? You should just go back there,”

could respond, one of the girls next to Arabella blurted out, “Arabella, who is

weren’t as prominent as the Hawthorns in Havenwood, they still held

ignore the Lockwood family “She’s my sister” Arabella

she’s the country girl.” Coral laughed, covering her mouth. “Look at her clothes. They probably cost less than fifty bucks total. Arabella,

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

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

talented in Havenwood. How could you be compared to a country

hands into her pockets, slanting her eyes at them with a smirk. Were these people here to stir

get kicked out of the Hawthorn family? How did she get

defended Vivienne. “Maybe she saw how luxurious the neighborhood was and wanted to look around.”

finish sightseeing, please leave. This is not a

hands in her pockets,

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

snuck in here?” Coral snapped. “That’s not cool! I need