The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 79

The Hawthorn clan was all worked up. They had high hopes that Vivienne’s dowry would revive their family’s fortune. But who could’ve guessed that the Ellingtons only coughed up a meager 88K? How could they swallow that?

So some relatives started grumbling, “You Ellingtons are such cheapskates! Even if the Hawthoms are just regular folks, 88K as a wedding gift is way too stingy. That’s just not on!”

“Did you lower the dowry to 88K just because Percival’s leg is healed? That’s low, even for you. You were willing to give 10 million when Percival was ill. But now that his leg’s all good, you’ve slashed the dowry. That’s not right!”

Everyone was chiming in, not giving Richard a chance to get a word in edgewise.

Arabella was shocked at the 88K dowry, but secretly, she was thrilled.

So what if Vivienne was a real Hawthorn? To the Ellingtons, she was only worth 88K.

Now, with Percival’s leg healed, they cared even less about Vivienne. Looked like she still had

a shot at winning this match.

“What the heck are you all blabbing about?” Dorian snapped, “I was the one who suggested the BBK dowry. I’m not selling my daughter! 10 million dollars? I don’t need it. I just want my daughter to live happily!”

Beatrice jerked her head up and stared at him in disbelief. “You suggested it?”

the entire

Did you expect me to get 10 million and give it to

blood, sweat, and tears, and

hoping to get that 10 million

ruined it

care of the family’s wedding affairs. Why didn’t you

to see our family’s business go under? Dorian, how could you be so cold-hearted?” Joseph chimed

They just didn’t want to air their dirty laundry in public, especially not in this setting. It would be humiliating to let everyone

Chapter 79

now, they

fight for a bigger

a few hundred thousand or a million would

them coldly. “I really don’t get it. Vivienne is my daughter, so why can’t I make decisions for her? A grandma demanding her granddaughter’s dowry? I bet we’re the

her dowry?” Beatrice stood her ground. “Vivienne is a Hawthorn; she should follow our

about it. We’ve wasted too much time. With all these

“Your words don’t count!’

her son had drifted away from her. Arguing with him was

turned to Richard. “Richard, I make the decisions for the Hawthorns. I decide my granddaughter’s dowry. 10 million dollars. That’s what we

hadn’t even opened his

the Hawthorns. But since Richard insisted on

back on

Ellingtons could afford 10 million dollars.

you’re saying.” Beatrice responded. She didn’t even sound mad. “It was your folks who first came knocking on our door for marriage. At first, I wasn’t on board with this match, but Richard was cool with it. Mr. Ellington and Vivienne were too, so naturally, I

dowry, it’s always up to the head of the family to decide, right? And Richard himself mentioned it. As long as we stuck to the marriage agreement, he’d give us ten million bucks. Now that Mr. Ellington’s leg’s all healed up, why are you guys backing out?” Beatrice cared about her dignity, but what was that compared