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.

It wasn’t a big to-do, but the Ellingtons all showed up

alone had drawn the attention of

the glory that should have belonged

She’s embarrassing us! She should look in the mirror before she acts

Hawthorns were still milling about

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Chapter 76

Dorian was climbing the walls. Joseph’s grumbling

on her case. What did she ever do to you? And by the way, you weren’t even invited to this party. If

leave.”

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

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

“Dorian, that’s

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?

truly pissed off

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

now, the party had been underway for ten minutes, and she was still MIA. Something must have

on about how Vivienne was rude and ill-mannered. Did

ticked off too, but

stop bickering!” Beatrice cut in sharply. “The Ellingtons are all in the private room, and we’re out here squabbling. How

command, Michael and Joseph clammed

blame your brothers for speaking harshly. It’s an important day, and Vivienne’s tardiness is

say something, but Beatrice cut

talk!”

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

“Don’t argue with them. Let’s try to reach

times, but she’s not picking up. I’m

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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

Vivienne.”

for a moment and then nodded.

as they were about to approach Richard, they saw

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

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

Percival frowned. “Since when?”

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