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.

a big to-do, but the Ellingtons all showed up in

drawn the attention of all of

have belonged to Arabella, and that didn’t sit right

she think she is? She’s embarrassing us! She should look in the mirror before she acts high

already shuffled into the private room, while the Hawthorns were still milling about outside,

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Chapter 76

call to voicemail, so Dorian was climbing the walls.

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

leave.”

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

back, fuming. “If you dare badmouth my daughter again,

standing nearby, frowned. “Dorian, that’s out of

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

was truly

well. She was a level-headed kid. If she said she’d be back before the engagement party, she’d be

had been underway for ten minutes, and she was

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

too, but found himself at

are all in the

Beatrice’s command, Michael and Joseph

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

Dorian tried to say something, but Beatrice cut him

talk!”

be here? If it

Dorian and whispered, “Don’t argue with them. Let’s try

but she’s not picking up. I’m really

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Chapter 76

we report to the police, they can’t

Vivienne.”

then nodded. “Alright, let’s ask Richard

about to approach

grandpa sent me

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

Percival frowned. “Since when?”

an hour ago, we tried to call her, but she’s not answering.” Worry