The Million-Dollar Heart novel Chapter 2

The atmosphere turned awkward in an instant.

"Wait, what? Percival's fiancée?" Beatrice jumped to her feet before finishing her sentence. "Yeah, right. It's Vivienne who's engaged to the Ellingtons, not you. Now that Vivienne's back, you don't have to marry Percival."

Richard had always doted on Percival, especially after Percival saved him two years ago, despite ending up disabled. Richard's affection for him only grew. And he also became more and more reckless, squandering Richard's money without a second thought.

But for some reason, the Ellingtons suddenly sent someone over a while back, saying that the Hawthorn's lady had an engagement with Percival and they had to honor it. At the time, Vivienne wasn't back yet, so the Hawthorn's lady was Arabella, right?

Beatrice was immediately anxious. Even though the Ellingtons held a high status, Arabella was her carefully nurtured protege. She wanted Arabella to marry someone better, someone who could elevate the Hawthorns to new heights. Although Percival was favored, he lacked real power, and the money he had was still provided by his parents and Richard. It was important to know that the money would run out, and when it did, he might be dependent on Arabella's wealth.

Beatrice naturally wouldn't allow that. But because of the engagement with the Ellingtons, she couldn't just call it off. So she'd been brainstorming ways to smoothly break off the engagement.

Now that Vivienne was back, there was no need to break off the engagement. After all, Vivienne was just a country girl. She was a good match for the disabled Percival. The Hawthorns could even use this opportunity to deepen their relationship with the Ellingtons. It was a win-win.

Thinking of this, Beatrice immediately said, "I agree with Vivienne's return. You guys go teach Vivienne some manners. She's getting engaged to Percival in a month. We can't have her embarrassing the Hawthorns at the engagement party."

Dorian and Cordelia were stunned and looked at Beatrice in disbelief. They still hadn't recovered from Arabella's words earlier.

Soon Dorian lifted his head. "Wait, what engagement party? Isn't Arabella the one engaged to Percival?"

"Once Vivienne's back, she's the older daughter of the Hawthorn family. She's the one engaged to the Ellingtons. Now that she's back, she should honor the engagement," Beatrice shot back.

At this, Cordelia furrowed her brows and looked at Vivienne, feeling a pang of sympathy. Beatrice's scheme was too transparent. No wonder she agreed so easily to Vivienne's return. She had ulterior motives.

Who didn't know that Percival was disabled?

Beatrice didn't even want Arabella to marry Percival before, but now she wanted Vivienne to marry him.

"I don't agree." Dorian growled, and his expression darkened. "Arabella is the one engaged to Percival."

"And so what." Beatrice retorted. "We can't afford to piss off the Ellingtons."

"You guys!" Dorian was so angry his face turned red.

But Beatrice didn't care. She turned to Vivienne. "If you want to return to the Hawthorn family, you have to get engaged to Percival."

Vivienne lifted her head to look at Beatrice, her eyes shining brightly. After a moment, she spoke calmly. "Fine, I agree."

She had to return to the Hawthorn family!

As for the engagement, Vivienne smiled faintly. She came back to the Hawthorn family just in time to call off her engagement to Percival.

After leaving the Hawthorn Mansion, Vivienne went back to Dorian and Cordelia's house. Eight years ago, Dorian was kicked out of the Hawthorn Mansion by the family elders. Now they lived in a small apartment at Prominent Estates on the edge of downtown. The neighborhood was somewhat run-down. {robably because of its years, walls were peeling. Dorian's family lived in a small three-bedroom apartment.

Vivienne greeted Dorian and then went to her room. Her luggage was still not unpacked since she just got home today. As soon as she entered her room, someone knocked on the door. She got up to open it and saw Dorian and Cordelia outside, looking like they had something to say.

"What's up?" Vivienne made way for Dorian to come in.

"There's something." Dorian pursed his lips, unsure of how to start.

"Whatever it is, just spit it out." Vivienne offered Dorian a seat and stood aside.

"I want to help you cancel the engagement."

Vivienne lifted her eyes, looking surprised at him.