The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 26

At Tranquil Estates.

When Vivienne got back, Dorian and Cordelia were just stepping through the door. Vivienne gave a shout, then asked, “Mr. Hawthorn, how’s the enrollment coming along?”

Earlier that day, Dorian and Cordelia had taken Thaddeus to sign up at the Imperial Blossom Nursery.

Dorian nodded in response. “It’s going well. Thaddeus really likes the school.” There was a hint of tiredness on his face as he sank onto the couch, looking worn out.

Vivienne sat down next to him, gave him a once–over, then asked, “What’s up?”

“Ah!” Dorian sighed, “It’s nothing, I’m used to it.”

Seeing his reluctance to spill the beans, Vivienne turned to Cordelia. “What’s going on?”

She wasn’t one to stick her nose into other people’s business, but she was quite comfortable with Dorian and his family. If she could help, she would naturally offer a hand.

But Dorian seemed to always shy away from troubling her, keeping things to himself.

“Forget him.” Cordelia rolled her eyes at Dorian, then gave him a pat. “It’s no big deal. Even if you can’t find work, I’ve got some savings. You can look for work in other cities. Beatrice might have her claws in Havenwood, but can she reach everywhere else?”

Cordelia added, “Besides, Thaddeus‘ tuition has been completely waived. What are you worried about? Don’t bring your work troubles home and ruin Vivienne’s mood.”

They had just found out that day, when they went to sign up, that Imperial Blossom Nursery had waived Thaddeus‘ tuition. To them, this was like manna

from heaven.

they decided to send Thaddeus to a regular kindergarten. They went to Imperial Blossom

solved, Dorian was still stressing over finding work, complaining all the way home about how he wouldn’t be able to

it, Dorian was having a hard time finding work because of Beatrice’s meddling. She gave a small smile, she didn’t care if Dorian had a

and was looking quite down in the dumps lately because of work.

new messages on Facebook. She was stunned, then remembered her post asking for job leads, which

You’re really looking for work? How

you need a job? Come to Alliance Enterprises. I’ll give you the

money? Tell me your address, I’ll

the comments, finally resting her eyes on the last one. The principal from Cloudcrest High School in Havenwood asked, “Would you like to come

Cloudcrest High School was where Arabella went to school. Having read the comments, she left the app and opened a chat

replied almost instantly, “Oh no! Mystic Mistress, you don’t even know where my branches are? I’m

chatting, so she sent Dorian’s resume over. “Find a spot for

don’t worry. I’ll make sure your dad is well

then came from his side.

shut off her

what the person on the other end was saying, but Dorian replied solemnly, “Understood.”

and Vivienne, “Joseph invited us to his wife’s birthday party tonight,

frowned. “Why do they want Vivienne there? They don’t like her, why the sudden change of heart?”

small smile, “Let’s go! Let’s see what

invite them for no reason. Perfect! She

Elsewhere.

also accepted the

In the car.

world outside the car. His face was stone–cold and expressionless. His fingers were still lazily tapping on the screen, and his eyes squinted, not