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.”

an eyebrow at Mike and nodded. “Long time no

that of an elder addressing

this time,

a chastised child.

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Chapter

natural conversation was proof enough that

was either dumbfounded or

parted

many more surprises was

Cecilia seemed delighted

before Vivienne took the stage, while no one dared openly confront her and Percival due

had poor judgment

make a fool of herself today and that the Ellington family would

with Vivienne and was scouting for a new bride for Percival

Rumors!

friends that she had set

about her. Next time they meet, she’ll give them

but she was also revealed to be the mysterious fashion designer Charles of the fashion

so concerned about maintaining her ladylike demeanor,

ear to ear.

designed by Charles were

on them, even if they were willing to pay

people would be knocking on their door, hoping

was racing, Cecilia maintained a perfect poker face, showing no surprise at the revelation of Vivienne’s identity as Master

a picture of discontent. She stole a glance at

in his hand, looking up at the radiant Vivienne on the runway. He held his glass in a graceful gesture, toasting to the only girl in his

and it was a moment of intimacy that no one else

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

he and Vivienne exchanged glances, she