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

aback, not

smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “If you fancy him, I can totally step

joke! That worthless man

like him, watch your words!” Vivienne said calmly,

crossed Arabella’s eyes, but she quickly regained her

decided to ignore her, turning to join 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? Your friend? Why would she come to Octavia’s

her grandpa’s during her visit, so she didn’t know Vivienne and

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

your mouth. She’s your cousin,” Arabella

a disdainful look. “So you’re Dorian’s long–lost daughter? Not as impressive as I thought. How could you snatch Arabella’s fiancé? What

wasn’t very familiar with the Hawthorn family affairs. But she admired Arabella, seeing her as a celebrity- gentle and generous.

marry into the Ellington family! So what if Percival was a loser? The Ellington family’s reputation was a golden ticket, and if Arabella could

engagement would fall

and she was already stealing Arabella’s fiancé. How could she tolerate that?

that’s

afraid of Vivienne 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

left her mouth, Dorian and Cordelia’s faces fell. Vivienne, on the

sour instantly. Alisa, that idiot! Did she really have to

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

couldn’t let it show. She could only laugh it off and explain, “You

Vivienne. I know you’re just afraid she’d get mad,

so angry she almost bit through

better, why should you be scared of a country bumpkin? She just got back and she’s already stealing your fiancé, who knows what she’ll steal next. Everyone’s here today, we must make