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

demeanor was like that of

she added, “After all this time,

a bit like a chastised child.

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Chapter

conversation was proof enough

either dumbfounded

surprised, his lips slightly parted in astonishment. His

more surprises was she

seemed delighted

before Vivienne took the stage, while no one dared openly confront her and Percival due to their status, snide comments and discussions had been reaching their

the Ellington family had poor judgment for choosing an arrogant

today and that the Ellington family would

was scouting for

Rumors!

she

and her mother must be spreading rumors about her. Next time they meet, she’ll give them a good

had not only proven her taste and ability, but she was

Cecilia wasn’t so concerned about maintaining her

ear to ear.

designed by Charles were extremely

hands on them, even if they were willing to pay a

who knew how many people would be knocking on their door, hoping for Vivienne to

a perfect poker face, showing no surprise at the revelation of Vivienne’s identity as Master Charles. This led others

was a picture of discontent. She stole a glance

sitting there with a glass of red wine in his hand, looking up at the radiant Vivienne on the runway. He held his glass

saw Vivienne return his gaze with a smile. Their eyes met, and it was a moment of intimacy that no one else

tightened slightly, causing Judith some discomfort. Following Arabella’s gaze,

the way he and Vivienne exchanged