The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 35

Beatrice instantly started looking for Vivienne and Percival but saw no sign of them. Her forehead scrunched up in worry. The medicine meant for Vivienne was ingested by Joseph instead. Vivienne and Percival were supposed to be in this room, but now it was occupied by Joseph and a nanny. Beatrice had seen too much in her lifetime and immediately suspected Vivienne was behind this.

“That little bitch!” Beatrice fumed.

“Grandma, let’s not get heated up, we need to sort this out first!” Arabella was equally livid.

She had no idea how Vivienne discovered the aphrodisiac in her drink, let alone why, Joseph ended up taking the drug she made. But she had no time to dwell on that, she just wanted to get the current situation under control.

Beatrice knew this wasn’t the time to investigate these issues. She glanced at the gàwping guests, feeling utterly humiliated. She instructed Arabella, “Since you made the drug, give Joseph the antidote.”

Arabella nodded, she was thinking the same.

She summoned two security guards to bring Joseph down. Then, she pretended to examine him and slipped him the antidote when no one was watching.

But Joseph showed no sign of improvement, the antidote didn’t work!

Arabella’s brow furrowed instantly, what was going on? Why wasn’t her antidote working? She remembered that Vivienne had some medical skills. Did Vivienne change her drug? That’s just impossible!

Vivienne was just a village girl from Emerald Mountain. Even if she had some medical knowledge, it was elementary at best. She must have lucked out when she cured Isolde. She couldn’t possibly know how to make aphrodisiac. Could it be Percival? It must be him. He’s a cripple, couldn’t get a wife, so he planned to drug Vivienne. But he didn’t expect Joseph to take it instead.

Beatrice also noticed that the antidote had no effect on Joseph, who seemed more energetic and stronger than before. He pushed the security guards aside and lunged at the nanny again, creating another indecent scene. Everyone started to feel awkward by the scene.

Beatrice’s face darkened. She looked at Arabella, questioning her with her eyes.

collected her gaze, stood up and announced loud enough for everyone to hear, “Grandma, Joseph has taken an aphrodisiac.”

caught on to Arabella’s intentions and played along, “What?

continued, “I’ve checked, he’s taken a very potent aphrodisiac. It can only be neutralized through sexual intercourse.”

would do such a vile

me. Vivienne and Mr. Ellington were in this room just now, how did it end up being–Joseph? And Joseph’s room is upstairs. Even if he wanted to have sex with the nanny, he would have chosen a more secluded spot. Why here?

was steady and strong, making sure everyone could hear the implications

reality, such a scandal should

people had witnessed it, some even recording the incident. It had to be

that no one from the Hawthorn family was involved

a second that Joseph and the nanny had an illicit

after all, if he wanted an affair, he would have chosen a beautiful woman with a great body, right?

special about this nanny?

Arabella’s words, the crowd nodded, thinking it made sense.

careless when having an

was definitely more to this story.

Beatrice suddenly raised her voice, “Vivienne

to Dorian and yelled, “Your precious daughter framed Joseph to avoid getting caught on her

who had been relieved when he found out Vivienne wasn’t in the room, immediately retorted, “Mom! We haven’t figured out what happened yet,

not her then who?” Beatrice seethed. “Just now, several nannies saw her and Mr. Ellington in this room. But then it was Joseph and this happened. Everyone

finished speaking, a cold voice came from behind

see Vivienne pushing Percival towards

had been observing from the sidelines, fully aware of the true intention behind all this drama an attempt

they rushed over, “Mr. Ellington, are

tone indifferent, “Why wouldn’t I