The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 171

Hazel felt a sudden chill creep up her scalp, and she quietly took two steps back, hoping to sneak off the runway unnoticed.

Mike, who had been engrossed in admiring a strapless gown, finally looked up to see the young, talented designer standing next to him. But upon recognizing the impatient expression on Vivienne’s face, he exclaimed in surprise, “Master Charles! Is that you?”

The room fell into a stunned silence.

“What? Mr. Ellington’s fiancée is Master Charles?”

“How is that possible? Mike must have mistaken her for someone else.”

From the runway below, Arabella had been urging Judith to stop Vivienne, but she hadn’t made a move to actually do it herself.

She was hoping that Vivienne would offend Mike, leading to a breakdown in the partnership between the Edwards family and Mike. This would not only ruin Vivienne’s reputation but also earn her the enmity of the Edwards family.

If Vivienne’s arrogance led to not only her own downfall but also strained the relationship between the Ellington Group and the Edwards Group, would the Ellington family still want such a troublesome daughter–in–law?

Arabella had her plan all figured out, and when Mike stormed towards Vivienne in anger, she thought her wish was about to come true.

But to her surprise, not only did Mike praise Vivienne’s altered design, he even called her “Master Charles.”

This Mike must have lost his mind!

She stepped forward and addressed Mike. “Mr. Mike, my sister grew up in a humble monastery and has never touched fashion design. How could she possibly be Master Charles? You must have mistaken her for someone else.”

“How could I possibly mistake her?” Mike gave Arabella a strange look and replied. “When my creativity hit a roadblock years ago, it was Master Charles who inspired me and led to my success today. She is like my mentor. Who would mistake their own mentor?”

He then pointed at the obedient Italian model who had been following Vivienne’s instructions to the tee.

“Julia is one of the most professional supermodels in the industry. If it wasn’t for her respect for Master Charles and knowing my relationship with Charles, would she have so patiently let others touch my clothes?” This statement set the crowd buzzing again.

“Is Vivienne really Master Charles?”

“No way. That’s unbelievable.”

runway just raised an eyebrow at Mike and nodded. “Long time no

demeanor was like that of an

added, “After all this time, you still haven’t

expression instantly deflated. He now seemed much like a frost–bitten eggplant, and he even looked a bit like a chastised child. “I know I’ve hit a creative block. I’ve been wanting to seek your

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was proof enough that Vivienne was indeed

was either dumbfounded

lips slightly parted in

more surprises was she

Cecilia seemed delighted for

confront her and Percival due to their status, snide comments and discussions had been reaching their

family had poor judgment

make a fool of herself today and that the

even suggested that she, Cecilia, was dissatisfied with Vivienne and was scouting for a new bride for

Rumors!

had told all her poker friends that she had set

must be spreading rumors about her.

ability, but she was also

maintaining her ladylike demeanor, she would probably be grinning

ear to ear.

designed by Charles

even if they were willing to pay a

be knocking on their door, hoping for Vivienne to design

showing no surprise at the revelation of Vivienne’s identity as Master Charles. This led others to

face was a picture of discontent. She

radiant Vivienne on the runway. He held his glass in a graceful

Vivienne return his gaze with a smile. Their eyes met, and

tightened slightly, causing Judith some discomfort. Following Arabella’s gaze, she saw Percival and couldn’t help but feel

he and Vivienne exchanged