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.

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,

to her. “Vivienne? What

nonchalant glance.

this girl up to now? Didn’t she already know they

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

She decided to play

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

an eyebrow. “Tranquil Estates?”

know 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,

where do you

staying at a motel? You should

respond, one of the girls next to Arabella blurted

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

the Lockwood

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

She’s still my sister, and

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 family? She’s still been driven

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

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

out of the Hawthorn family? How did she get

how luxurious the neighborhood was

advised, “Vivienne, once you finish sightseeing, please leave. This is not

her pockets, watching

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.

in here?” Coral snapped. “That’s not cool! I need to check if anything’s missing