The Million-Dollar Heart novel Chapter 18

Inside the old Hawthorn family manor.

Arabella rushed back to the house, barely steady on her feet. She blurted out, "Granny, Dad has rented a house, and it's in Tranquil Estates!"

"What?!"

Beatrice, Michael, and Joseph all shot up from their seats, their faces showing utter disbelief as they stared at Arabella.

Beatrice was the first to recover, barely keeping her surprise under control. "Are you sure? Tranquil Estates doesn't usually rent to outsiders."

Arabella looked serious. "I asked the security staff in the residential area. They did rent it, and the rent is ridiculously low. It's practically a giveaway."

Beatrice stayed silent, her eyebrows furrowed. After a while, she said, "Michael, look into who the landlord of that house is. No matter what it takes, we need to drive them out. The engagement deadline the Ellington family gave us is approaching fast. We can't afford any mistakes."

Michael responded, "I'm on it."

Arabella frowned slightly. After a pause, she said, "Grandma, I have an idea, but..."

"What idea? Let's hear it," Beatrice asked quickly.

Arabella leaned in to whisper in Beatrice's ear. A smile spread across Beatrice's face. "Good, that's a good idea. Let's do that."

"But isn't this a bit unfair to Vivienne?" Arabella hesitated.

"Who cares what she thinks? She's just a nobody to me. If this marriage falls through, what does Vivienne have to do with the Hawthorn family?" A cold glint flashed in Beatrice's eyes.

"I'll follow your lead then." Arabella lowered her head, a sly smile flickering in her eyes. But no one saw it.

Vivienne got up early to go jogging. It was something she'd been doing for ten years. Just as she got to the entrance of the residential area, she ran into Arabella and her two classmates, who were invited over to someone's house.

Upon seeing Vivienne, Arabella immediately walked up to her. "Vivienne? What are you doing here?"

Vivienne gave her a nonchalant glance. "What's up?"

What was this girl up to now? Didn’t she already know they lived here?

"No, nothing." Arabella feigned fear of Vivienne, whispering, "I thought you guys were staying at a motel? How did you end up here?"

"Oh, I live here." Vivienne replied, amused. She decided to play along with Arabella's game.

"What?" Arabella was taken aback by Vivienne's cooperation, but she quickly recovered. "You mean, you're living here? Vivienne, do you know what place this is?"

Vivienne raised an eyebrow. "Tranquil Estates?"

"Do you know that outsiders aren't allowed in Tranquil Estates?" Arabella chuckled. "Vivienne, I know you just moved to the city and everything is new to you, but this is not the place for you. You better leave before someone loses something valuable and you get blamed."

Vivienne smirked, "So where do you want me to go?"

"Aren't you guys staying at a motel? You should just go back there," Arabella suggested casually.