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.

ointment for Isolde yesterday, but Arabella and Coral’s

at this time of the day, Isolde’s family wasn’t around. Just as she got to the hospital entrance,

hospital this early? Not feeling well?” It was just eight, and the outpatient

up, her voice barely above a whisper, “What did

was clueless. The girl didn’t seem so happy.

look, her lips tightening into a thin line. After a long silence, she finally said, “No problem. Good

his elders! Arrogant and

She now had a bone to

Ms. Hawthorn a bit

brother were ignoring him? “Do you feel unwell? Need me

need! I’m not here to see a doctor!” Vivienne said and

stopped her.

around to look at him. “What’s up?”

decision about the engagement?”

and said in a whisper, “Agreed! Let’s postpone the

until

Did he steal it or snatch it from her mother? As

curled up into a smirk, “Sure, as you wish.”

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

watched her retreating figure, his smile deepening

Someone who could effortlessly defeat a world–renowned assassin was definitely toxic.

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 find