The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 76

Dorian and Cordelia looked pretty peeved.

Their outfits were freshly bought and cost them a grand. Splurging a thousand bucks on clothes was a bit much for them, but for their daughter Vivienne, they bit the bullet and paid

They didn’t expect even that to earn them the stink eye.

Today was the engagement party, and the whole Hawthorn clan was there. They were all dolled up to the nines.

If you didn’t know better, you’d think the Hawthorns were hosting the show.

Dorian was a bit miffed, but hey, it was Vivienne’s party, so he kept his trap shut.

There were four tables set for the party.

Three were hogged by the Hawthorns.

The Ellingtons took up one table. Aside from Richard, the rest of the Ellington crew was there

too.

Their group wasn’t big. They were just enough to fill one table.

The party was supposed to kick off at noon, but as the clock ticked closer, Vivienne was still

a no-show.

Cordelia and Dorian had been blowing up Vivienne’s phone, but she never answered.

“What’s Vivienne’s deal? She’s late for her own engagement party and is keeping all these elders waiting. What gives?” Joseph Hawthorn was still sore from Vivienne’s previous scheme, and he hadn’t been able to smooth things over with Octavia yet, so seeing Vivienne playing hooky didn’t do him any favors.

“Joseph, Vivienne’s just a country bumpkin. She wouldn’t know manners if they hit her in the face. She’s probably trying to embarrass us on purpose now that she’s engaged to Mr. Ellington.” Alisa Hawthorn grumbled, sounding as sour as a lemon.

wasn’t a big to-do, but the

drawn the attention of

had snatched away the glory that should have belonged to Arabella, and that didn’t sit

embarrassing us! She should

shuffled into the private room, while the Hawthorns were still milling about outside, so Percival didn’t catch

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Chapter 76

still sending every call to voicemail, so Dorian was climbing the walls. Joseph’s grumbling was

you’ve been on her case. What did she ever do to you? And by the way, you

leave.”

and he got all huffy. “I’m your brother. How dare you talk to me like that? Don’t you know

might be my brother, but you’re not my dad!” Dorian shot back, fuming. “If you dare badmouth

nearby, frowned. “Dorian, that’s out

wishes well for my daughter? Have any of you given her any gifts? And now you’re blaming her for not following the rules? Shouldn’t you, as her relatives, be more concerned about

was truly pissed off

was a level-headed kid. If she said she’d

minutes, and she was still MIA. Something

on about how

ticked off too, but

Ellingtons are all in the private room, and we’re out here squabbling. How

command, Michael and Joseph

then turned to Dorian. “Don’t blame your brothers for speaking harshly. It’s an important day, and Vivienne’s tardiness

Beatrice cut

talk!”

If it weren’t for the Ellingtons’ bridal

“Don’t argue with them.

times, but she’s not picking up. I’m really worried something might have happened to her.” Dorian

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Chapter 76

get in touch with Vivienne last night. It hasn’t been 24 hours yet, so even if we report to the police, they can’t do anything.” Cordella thought

Vivienne.”

thought for a moment and then nodded. “Alright, let’s

to approach

them. “My grandpa sent me to ask when’s the

Dorian with a heavy tone. “I’m worried something’s happened to her.

Percival frowned. “Since when?”

hour ago, we tried