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.

something she’d been doing for ten years. Just as she got to the entrance of the residential area, she ran into Arabella and her two classmates, who were

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

gave her a nonchalant glance. “What’s up?”

was this girl up to now? Didn’t she

whispering, “I thought you guys

Vivienne replied, amused. She decided to play

Arabella was taken aback by Vivienne’s cooperation, but she quickly recovered. “You mean, you’re living here? Vivienne, do you know what place this is?”

raised an eyebrow. “Tranquil Estates?”

in Tranquil Estates?” Arabella chuckled. “Vivienne, I know you just moved to the city and everything is new to you, but this is not

where do you

guys staying at a motel? You should

the girls next to Arabella blurted

Lockwoods weren’t as prominent as the Hawthorns in Havenwood, they still held a significant status, and Coral’s two brothers were both politicians.

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

Coral laughed, covering her mouth. “Look at her clothes. They probably

still my sister, and I’m just an adopted daughter of

Hawthorns prefer you. You’re so outstanding, why wouldn’t they? And what if she’s

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

with a smirk. Were these people here to stir up trouble on purpose?

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

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

leave. This is not

hands in her pockets, watching her

she could see right through her. Could she have figured out why she was here? No way! Vivienne was just a girl who grew

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