The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 126

Cloudcrest High School auditorium.

Today was the scheduled day for Vivienne and Elijah’s fragrance blending competition. News about Vivienne, Percival’s fiancée, challenging the renowned Perfume Prince, Elijah, had

spread across the internet since his talk at Cloudcrest High.

Guests had flocked to the school, many drawn by the prospect of witnessing this unique

competition.

“Ms. Hawthorn.”

Vivienne had just arrived at the auditorium when she was met with a face full of malicious glee.

“And you are?” Vivienne asked, her brow knitting slightly. She couldn’t quite place the heavily made-up woman in front of her.

Stella forced a smile. “We met at Percival’s place.”

“Oh.” Vivienne remembered now, but dismissed the woman as insignificant. She was just about to step into the auditorium when Stella stopped her.

Stella’s face contorted for a moment, but she quickly regained her smugness. “Ms. Hawthorn, have you seen Cecilia? She invited me to accompany her today.”

She covered her mouth with her hand, feigning concern. “You really mustn’t lose too badly today. Cecilia doesn’t like you much as it is, and if you embarrass the Ellington family…”

“Vivienne!”

Stella was cut off as Cecilia spotted Vivienne from afar and hurried over.

She would have run if not for the need to maintain her ladylike demeanor. So she quickened her pace instead.

Vivienne’s hand, and warmly greeted her. “You finally

delayed by a few elder

back to Vivienne. “May I come closer to the

Cecilia with a touch of helplessness in his eyes. He knew that she loved antique perfumes, but he hadn’t realized

she had been pestering Vivienne every day, asking her to display her mother Evelyn’s collection at a small antique perfume exhibition in Rivenwood whenever Vivienne had spare

Chapter 126

the auditorium,

as she remembered her earlier

disliked Vivienne

out, unwilling to

her with a frown on her face. “Stella? What are you doing

red out of embarrassment.

Cecilia asked but didn’t

even glance at Stella from the corner of his

into the auditorium, greeting many familiar

enthusiasts, some Elijah’s fans, and a few drawn by the

that if it weren’t

people supporting Vivienne were Percival, Cecilia, and the students from

during school hours, Class Eighteen was granted

“Go, Ms. Vivienne!”

stage under Elijah’s disdainful gaze, cheers

crowd.

glanced down to see Logan, Charlotte, Faye, and Oberon, all from Class Eighteen, waving at her enthusiastically from the front

appointed apprentice. Arabella had been granted special

gaze met Vivienne’s, and she mouthed, “Sis, you’re

few days since becoming Elijah’s apprentice, Arabella had once again become the center of attention. Many students sought to please her in hopes of getting

her past misdeeds, as those trying to curry favor

other hand, took it all in stride, bossing everyone around as if

servants.

still left

Chapter 126

by and heard whispers, she wondered if they were discussing that embarrassing scene of her kneeling before Vivienne and how she

were definitely different now. This

and walked over to her