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.

discontent but didn’t

other two.

Elijah suddenly spoke

to Beatrice pleadingly. But all Beatrice whispered was, “Do whatever it takes to get on Elijah’s good side. The future of the Hawthorn family, your future, might

Chapter

publicly taken Arabella as his apprentice today, her reputation would have

had always hoped to use Arabella’s beauty and talent to gain a higher status or profit. But now, with Arabella like this, all plans and ambitions were moot.

and the others leave, Arabella bit her lower lip,

happy to stay with

at all.” Arabella quickly turned around and approached

she wasn’t happy. Although Elijah now had an extraordinary status, she still remembered how

Elijah was talented, he was still far

hoped to snatch Percival back from Vivienne. How could other

jail. Elijah squinted his eyes. pulling her onto the couch. “What’s the matter? Am I

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 thank you

rejecting me before.” Elijah was instantly irked at the thought of his past unsuccessful pursuit of Arabella. His grip on her waist

that time, you were such a big shot. The daughter of the Hawthom family, the talented beauty of Havenwood. You were

felt the pain in her 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

fuss today by insisting on having Vivienne as my apprentice, I wouldn’t be in this mess.” Elijah was

no way you’d lose to Vivienne.” Arabella spoke softly to soothe him.

flickered, his expression darkened, and he pushed

people around!” Arabella screamed and struggled, glancing

Arabella’s cue

make

know that their every

in a storage room under the staircase, peeping

but Elijah showed no

later, the

eyebrow slightly. That

a glimpse of the caller ID,

shoved an untidy Arabella to the

on the floor with her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Not only had she made a fool of herself, he had the nerve to humiliate her like