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 left with

other two.

Elijah

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

Chapter

taken Arabella

gain a higher status or profit. But now, with Arabella like this, all plans and ambitions were moot. It was already a

others leave, Arabella bit her lower

stay

all.” Arabella quickly turned around and

wasn’t happy. Although Elijah now had an extraordinary status, she still remembered how he had once groveled to win her

talented, he was still far from matching

hoped to snatch Percival back from Vivienne. How could other

weren’t for me, you’d still be rotting in jail. Elijah squinted his

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

was instantly irked at the thought of his past unsuccessful pursuit of Arabella. His

of the Hawthom family,

her face. Beatrice

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

there’s no way you’d lose to Vivienne.” Arabella spoke softly to

flickered, his expression darkened, and

are people around!” Arabella screamed

Arabella’s cue and shooed everyone else

make out with

every move was being watched

staircase, peeping through the door

pleading throughout, but Elijah

later, the commotion

raised an eyebrow slightly. That was

buzz. After catching a glimpse of the

he shoved an

the floor with her cheeks burning with embarrassment. Not only had she made a fool of