The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 116

Midland Villa.

“Are you guys sure this Vivienne chick doesn’t know jack about perfumery?” Elijah cast a doubtful glance at the Hawthorn family members standing in front of him. Not only was Arabella present, but Beatrice, Michael Hawthorn, and Joseph Hawthorn were all present

too.

After the Hawthorn Group went belly-up, they were cornered by their creditors. They originally planned to lean on Dorian, but Elijah surprisingly popped up, cleared their debts, and even promised to help the Hawthorn Group rise from the ashes.

So now, they were all over Elijah with gratitude. They followed his orders to the letter.

Upon hearing his question, Beatrice rushed to shake her head and answer. “No way! Her mom might have known about perfumery, but she kicked the bucket when she was just nine. How much could she have taught her? She grew up in a convent, so there’s no way she had a chance to learn about perfumery.”

“Why would she challenge me then?” Elijah asked, looking puzzled.

“She must be relying on the perfume formula her mom left behind.” Beatrice replied.

Elijah had the same thought, but he still asked, “Didn’t you say the formula your third son gave you was the last one?”

“He said so, but I think that’s bull.” Beatrice scoffed. “Evelyn made eight perfume formulas when she was with the Hawthorn family. She’s always been one to cover her bases, so why would she only leave one formula for my son? It’s just that he refuses to cough it up!”

Even the one that he did was only given on the condition that they cut ties.

Thinking about the perfume formula in Dorian’s possession made a hint of greed and coldness flash in Elijah’s eyes.

He waved at the Hawthorn family. “Alright, take a hike.”

“But Mr. Elijah, our company…” Beatrice hesitated to ask.

“I’ve told you that as long as you follow my lead, I guarantee the Hawthorn Group will rise again.” Elijah dismissed Beatrice nonchalantly.

pursed her lips in discontent but didn’t dare say anything more and

other two.

Elijah

all Beatrice whispered was, “Do whatever it takes to get on Elijah’s good

Chapter

taken Arabella as his apprentice today, her

beauty and talent to gain a higher status or profit. But now, with Arabella like this, all plans and ambitions were moot. It was already a blessing that Elijah

bit her lower lip, unable to hide the

to stay with me?” Elijah

not at all.” Arabella quickly

extraordinary status, she still remembered how he had once groveled to win her

if Elijah was talented, he was still far from

from Vivienne. How could other

in jail. Elijah squinted his eyes. pulling her onto the couch. “What’s the matter? Am I not good enough for

inside, but she plastered on a pleasing smile and softened her body against his. “You’ve been so good to me, and I haven’t even had a chance to

rejecting me before.” Elijah was instantly irked at the

the Hawthom

waist from his grip but didn’t dare show it on her face. Beatrice was right; everything depended on Elijah now. Until she could use him to completely change her fate, she had to submit to

my apprentice, I wouldn’t be in this mess.” Elijah was visibly upset when bringing

lose to Vivienne.” Arabella spoke softly to soothe him. “You’re the

his expression darkened, and he pushed

screamed

Elijah followed Arabella’s

forcefully make out with Arabella on

Elijah know that their every move

in a storage room under the staircase, peeping through the door crack at the scene in

kept pleading throughout, but Elijah

later, the commotion

an eyebrow slightly. That was

After catching a

instantly, and he shoved an untidy Arabella to the

burning with embarrassment. Not only had she