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.

party was hosted by Dorian’s family. It wasn’t a big to-do, but

alone had drawn the attention of

the glory that should have belonged to Arabella, and that didn’t

who does she think she is? She’s embarrassing us! She should look in the

Hawthorns were still milling about outside, so Percival

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Chapter 76

every call to voicemail, so Dorian was climbing

do to you? And by the way, you weren’t

leave.”

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

but you’re not my dad!” Dorian shot back, fuming. “If you dare badmouth my daughter again, I’ll kick you

“Dorian,

genuinely 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 her safety? You

was truly

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

been underway for ten minutes, and she was still MIA. Something must have

about how Vivienne was rude and ill-mannered. Did

too, but found himself at

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

Michael and Joseph

to Dorian. “Don’t blame your brothers for speaking harshly. It’s an important day, and Vivienne’s tardiness is unacceptable. The Ellingtons are waiting, and if she’s late, people will say

say something, but Beatrice cut him off. “Go

talk!”

she wanted to be here? If it weren’t for the Ellingtons’

whispered, “Don’t argue

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

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Chapter 76

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 for a moment before suggesting, “Let’s ask Richard for help. He has a wide network. Maybe he can help us

Vivienne.”

then nodded. “Alright,

as they were about to approach Richard, they

Percival greeted them. “My grandpa sent

happened to her.

Percival frowned. “Since when?”

we tried to call her, but she’s not answering.” Worry was evident