The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 27

Nighttime at Hawthorn Mansion.

The banquet kicked off at eight.

Vivienne and Dorian rocked up at half past seven to Hawthorn’s crib.

The mansion front was jam–packed with luxury cars.

In the hall, Arabella was looking all dolled up in a custom dress, sipping red wine and mingling with the guests. With her chin up and chest out, she wore a confident smile, looking every bit the rightful heiress of the Hawthorn family.

As soon as Vivienne and her crew stepped in, Arabella spotted them. She walked over, wine glass in hand, and greeted them with a warm smile. “Dad, Mom, Vivienne, you made it? Come on in, the guests are almost all here.”

In a very hostess–like tone, she added, “I hope you brought your appetites tonight.”

Dorian frowned, his face looking a tad sour. Was she implying they were poor and couldn’t afford good food on the regular?

Cordelia didn’t look too pleased either, but she kept her mouth shut.

Arabella turned to Vivienne with a smile. “By the way, sis, Mr. Ellington will be joining us tonight.”

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, “So what?”

“Mr. Ellington is really into you. He wasn’t planning on coming, but he changed his mind when he heard you’d be here.” Arabella kept her polite smile, looking like the perfect sweet, well–mannered girl in everyone’s eyes.

replied nonchalantly. “Are you jealous

taken aback, not getting the implication

you fancy him, I can totally step aside!” Arabella was taken

a joke! That worthless man was nowhere near

watch your words!” Vivienne said calmly, her eyes narrowing slightly.

look of spite crossed Arabella’s eyes, but she quickly regained her

Dorian in greeting some acquaintances. Just as she turned away, a mature–looking girl walked up to her, gave Vivienne a once–over and sneered at Arabella, “Who’s she?

Michael’s daughter, Alisa. She had been staying at her grandpa’s during her visit, so she didn’t know Vivienne and thought her

her own outfit – jeans, white tee, sneakers. What was wrong with that?

your cousin,” Arabella

Dorian’s long–lost daughter? Not as impressive as I thought. How could you

grandpa, so she wasn’t very familiar with the Hawthorn family affairs. But she admired

was a loser? The Ellington family’s reputation was a golden ticket, and if Arabella could marry into it, she’d be set for

would find Vivienne and the Ellington’s engagement would fall upon

How could she tolerate that? She definitely wouldn’t stand for it.

blanched and she quickly tried to stop Alisa. “Alisa, that’s enough!

you’re adopted, you’re still a Hawthorn. And you’re even better than

Dorian and Cordelia’s faces fell. Vivienne, on the other

odd glances. Arabella’s face turned sour instantly. Alisa, that idiot! Did she really have to remind everyone that she was adopted in

who would want to marry that good–for–nothing Percival!

show. She could only laugh it off and explain, “You misunderstood. I have no interest

off, “Stop defending Vivienne. I know you’re just afraid she’d get mad, but I’m not! Arabella, today I’m gonna help you fight for

almost bit through her back teeth. “I don’t

be scared of a country bumpkin? She just got back and she’s already stealing your fiancé, who knows what she’ll