The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 177

A subtle smirk crossed Percival’s face as he realized his darling Vivienne could now feel jealous when it came to him.

“I’m not fond of you keeping secrets with other men either. Was that Debra whom you were exchanging glances with?”

“He’s just a friend.” Vivienne responded indifferently, offering no explanation.

Percival’s gaze shifted, sweeping over Scott, who was standing not far away. “The head of the Brooks family has been eyeing you as well.”

Vivienne’s cool gaze followed his, colliding with Scott’s stare.

Perhaps it was her icy expression that caused Scott, who was accustomed to others cowering before his authority as the long–standing head of the Brooks family, to look away. However, he couldn’t resist sneaking another glance.

For some reason, even though he had never met Vivienne, she seemed eerily familiar.

He thought he saw a shadow of Karen in her.

“Scott.” After noticing Scott’s continuous gaze on Vivienne, Beatrice began feeling a surge of anxiety. She stepped forward, trying to squeeze a smile onto her gloomy face, intentionally distracting him. “Arabella is about to take her college entrance exams. Have you discussed with her which university she’s considering?”

“She’s interested in Rivenwood University.” Scott politely responded. Engaged in conversation with Beatrice, his gaze finally left Vivienne and settled on Arabella on the stage.

Arabella, reaching the climactic part of her performance, abruptly lifted her hand. The room fell silent as the piano music dramatically halted. As Arabella stood up to bow, the crowd applauded generously.

The first thing Arabella did was look for Percival’s reaction, hoping her piano performance had moved him.

Regrettably, Percival’s attention was solely on Vivienne.

Biting her lower lip, she didn’t step down from the stage. Instead, she smiled towards Vivienne in the crowd. “Your turn, sister. I’m eagerly waiting for your gift.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Vivienne, waiting for her response.

“Arabella.” Judith’s face fell. “If Ms. Hawthorn doesn’t wish to play, don’t pester her. It’s impolite.”

In the end, their efforts made

through Arabella’s petty games, and naturally, she stepped

pale. She hadn’t anticipated that Judith would publicly reprimand her to

This was her banquet!

the star

Judith accused her of

for not disciplining her properly. Please don’t take

to Vivienne.

if I do mind, what then?” Vivienne’s eyes narrowed, her gaze

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Chapter 177

hesitated. “I’ll make sure to discipline her properly when we

as her lips curled into a smile. “Seeing as we’re kin,

the word

didn’t quite understand what

react, Vivienne was already heading

crowd was taken aback, and they began to whisper among

Arabella’s invitation. But now that Judith had stepped in to help her save

performance leading the way, unless Vivienne could match Debra’s skills, she would only end up being

feigning a mix of surprise

that so?” Vivienne’s smile turned colder. “Then enjoy

embarrassment. She clenched her teeth and descended from the stage. She watched as Vivienne gracefully sat before the piano, testing the keys casually and

attempts at tuning, scoffed at her audacity. A girl who grew up in the country dared to play the piano after her performance,

well Vivienne could play, she knew she

why she chose to perform first. With her excellent skills setting the bar, anything Vivienne played afterward

across her lips. However, it

to slowly play the black and white keys. A

calm stream, then it gradually quickened and intensified, transforming into a roaring storm and raging tides, resonating

this Rhapsody of Marland?” Melissa

a basic knowledge of piano could recognize that Vivienne was playing the renowned and notoriously difficult piece, Rhapsody of

experiencing a hurricane disaster and a