The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 97

At first, Dorian was unsure about his inner doubts, but after seeing Beatrice’s response, his icy heart was now covered in even more frost.

“Mom, since you know what’s really going on, why pretend to be clueless? Does Arabella really have the cash to hire all these people to cause trouble? Can you really assure me you had nothing to do with all this?”

“I couldn’t care less!” Beatrice brusquely interrupted Dorian. “The bottom line is that this mess was cooked up by Vivienne and the Ellington family. Vivienne has to clean it up. She’s a Hawthorn too!”

“Oh, Mom, remember how you stopped me from acknowledging Vivienne? Now suddenly she’s a Hawthorn again?” Disappointment filled Dorian’s eyes as he looked at Beatrice. “I won’t interfere with Vivienne’s decisions.”

Dorian felt nothing but pain after recalling how Evelyn and Vivienne had been humiliated and driven out of the Hawthorn family. He coldly spoke to Beatrice. “Mom, we’ve cut ties, okay? I came to see you today because we’re still family. You’re my mother, even if it’s just in name. And frankly, I’m not enjoying this visit, so I’m out of here.”

With that, he turned around and left without hesitation.

“That ungrateful brat!” Beatrice was so mad that she pounded the bed. “I should’ve strangled him when he was born!”

“Mom, did you really send people to make trouble at Dorian’s place?” Michael Hawthorn asked.

In the past, no matter how Beatrice bullied Dorian, he would never intervene. He even enjoyed it. But with the Hawthorn family in such a bad state, his voice was now tinged with

resentment.

Beatrice kept quiet.

“What do we do now?” Joseph Hawthorn asked urgently. “Vivienne won’t see Mom; the Ellingtons show us no respect, and let’s not even think about begging Percival. We went through so much trouble to get that formula from Dorian. We were almost back on top, and now this happens!”

Just as Beatrice was about to speak, footsteps were heard outside the room. She immediately sneered, “Finally decided to come back…”

opened, and she was stunned. In came

suit.

thrilled. “Iris! You’re

fruit and glanced at the spilled coffee and coffee cup on the floor. “What

at home. How come

only daughter. She rarely returned home since moving to Ozoria with

husband ten years ago.

on her only daughter. Seeing Iris made tears fill

because of Vivienne

Is Vivienne really back?”

been thrown out of the Hawthorn family, she always felt pained whenever she thought about it. She had come back this time because she’d heard about this and wanted to see

that troublemaker back!” Beatrice

asked for a detailed account of what

exaggerated and

discern the truth.

heavy. “Clearly, Arabella was in the wrong. She should clarify and apologize. Where is she? You spoil her too much. You’re sick,

taking care of

after Vivienne and Percival

was surrounded by some of

no shame? Not only did you steal Arabella’s man, you’re also trying to take credit for her healing Ms.

teacher, but you’re taking credit from your

the students of Class Eighteen firmly stood by

Vivienne. He immediately and angrily stood up for her. “Nonsense! Are you guys brainless? Is whatever Arabella

Arabella’s one-sided story! The Baker family has issued a statement saying Arabella didn’t heal Ms. Faye at all. In fact, she almost killed her. If it wasn’t for Ms. Vivienne,

family did indeed issue a statement right away to help Vivienne clarify

Arabella’s earlier tweets, didn’t believe the

Chapter 97

thinking it was just

high school students who were accusing Vivienne seemed to share