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.

by Dorian’s family. It wasn’t a big to-do, but the Ellingtons all showed up

had drawn the attention of all of

the glory that should have belonged to Arabella,

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

while the Hawthorns were still milling about

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Chapter 76

Dorian was climbing the walls. Joseph’s

to you? And by the way, you weren’t even invited to this party. If you can’t wait, feel

leave.”

that, and he got all huffy. “I’m your brother. How dare you talk to me like

dad!” Dorian shot back, fuming. “If you dare badmouth my daughter again, I’ll

frowned. “Dorian,

for my daughter? Have any of you given her any gifts? And now you’re blaming her for not following

was truly

knew Vivienne well. She was a level-headed kid. If she

for ten minutes, and

out, but these people were still blabbering on about how Vivienne was rude and ill-mannered. Did they think

too, but found himself at a loss for

all in the

Beatrice’s command, Michael and Joseph

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

Dorian tried to say something, but Beatrice

talk!”

think she wanted to be here? If it weren’t for the Ellingtons’ bridal gift, she

argue with them. Let’s try to reach Vivienne

times, but she’s not picking up. I’m really worried something might

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Chapter 76

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.”

moment and then nodded. “Alright, let’s

as they were about to approach Richard, they saw Thomas wheeling

sent me to ask when’s

with a heavy tone. “I’m worried something’s happened to her. We were going to ask your

Percival frowned. “Since when?”

her last night. About an hour ago, we tried to call her,