The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Inside the crib of the Hawthorn fam

Chapter 22

in the hall, Beatrice, Joseph, Michael, and Arabella were all seated, looking all serious. They were all glued to the phone in Arabella’s hand.

Herman personally cleared Vivienne’s name, saying she didn’t steal anything, and Coral was now under arrest for making false allegations. Plus, Jaylan and three other cops had been suspended because they screwed up the case.

Arabella thought she had finally shaken off Vivienne’s shadow, but in a few short hours, Vivienne was released. Even the big shot Herman stepped in to clear her name.

“Gran, did the Ellington fam bail Vivienne out?” Arabella pocketed her phone, her eyes losing their resentment. She was all sugar and spice. “Didn’t expect the Ellingtons to care that much about Vivienne”

Her voice was filled with bitterness, and she was feeling all sorts of uncomfortable. She didn’t believe Percival had the juice to get Vivienne out of the police station. In her eyes, he was just a loser. Except for Richard from the Ellington family, she didn’t think anyone else could’ve pulled it off. But she just couldn’t wrap her head around why the Ellingtons would still bail out Vivienne after she was exposed for theft.

Did they really care about Vivienne that much? Who in their right mind would be interested in Percival, that loser? Even if some were, they probably didn’t come from fancy homes.

The Hawthorns were a pretty decent catch. So, naturally, Richard wouldn’t want Percival to miss out. With that thought, Arabella’s mood brightened up a bit

“Now that Vivienne is released, and the Ellingtons didn’t call off the engagement, we’ve got to stick to the plan.” Beatrice never thought Vivienne would be let out.

She already contacted the media, planning to make a big fuss about it. But before she could even start, Vivienne was released. All her plans were messed up, and it was getting on her nerves.

“But what can we do if Dorian and Vivienne are dead against it?” Michael furrowed his brows

“Yeah, they’ve already rented a place at Tranquil Estates, so housing is no problem. They would never agree to it now,” Joseph chimed in.

“Yeah.” Michael complained.

Hospital.

Isolde yesterday, but Arabella and Coral’s mess got in the way, so she couldn’t

this time of the day, Isolde’s family wasn’t around. Just as she got to the hospital entrance, she ran into Percival and Leopold.

was a bit surprised. “You’re at the hospital this early? Not feeling well?” It was just eight, and

above a whisper, “What did

a problem?” Leopold was clueless. The girl didn’t seem so happy.

lips tightening into a thin line. After a long

elders! Arrogant

had a

this Ms. Hawthorn a bit off her rocker?”

fiancée and his brother were ignoring him? “Do you feel unwell? Need me to call a doctor?” Percival’s

to see a doctor!” Vivienne said

her. “Ms.

around to look at him. “What’s up?”

decision about

said in a whisper, “Agreed! Let’s postpone the engagement by half a

until

steal it or snatch it from her mother? As for his claim that it was a gift from a friend, she wasn’t

curled up into a smirk, “Sure, as you

him, her lips curving into a smile. She then moved closer to Percival, her voice filled with a wicked tone, “Mr. Ellington, watch

figure, his smile deepening

could effortlessly defeat a world–renowned assassin

someone. Even their appearances were somewhat similar. If it weren’t for the fact that she’s a Hawthorn, he would’ve thought Vivienne was that person’s daughter. Suddenly, Percival’s gaze changed. He pulled out the pendant from his pocket, and a vague emotion filled his eyes “Mr. Ellington, there’s a response from the other side. They still couldn’t