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.

nonchalantly. “Are you

not getting the implication at first.

totally step aside!” Arabella was taken

a joke! That worthless man was nowhere

don’t like him, watch your words!”

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

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? Your friend?

Alisa. She had been staying at her grandpa’s during her visit, so

white tee, sneakers. What was wrong with that?

your cousin,” Arabella whispered to Alisa.

gave Vivienne a disdainful look. “So you’re Dorian’s long–lost daughter? Not as impressive as I thought. How

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

family! So what if Percival was a loser? The Ellington family’s reputation was a golden

and the Ellington’s engagement would fall upon her? It pissed her

back and she was already stealing Arabella’s fiancé. How could she tolerate that? She definitely wouldn’t stand for

tried to stop Alisa. “Alisa, that’s enough! Mr. Ellington was originally my

to speak up, so she said righteously, “Arabella, even though you’re adopted, you’re still a Hawthorn. And you’re even better than the real Hawthorn’s daughter. You don’t have to be afraid of her, and you should pursue your own happiness. Mr. Ellington was originally

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

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

want to marry that good–for–nothing Percival! She was so

She could only laugh it off and explain, “You

she could finish, Alisa cut her off, “Stop defending Vivienne. I know you’re just afraid she’d get mad,

angry she almost bit through her back teeth. “I

a country bumpkin? She just got back and she’s already stealing your fiancé, who knows what she’ll steal next. Everyone’s here