The Million-Dollar Heart novel Chapter 222

At the dinner table, the family gathered in a warm atmosphere.

Midway through the meal, Astrid lifted her glass of wine and looked at Vivienne and Percival. "Vivienne, Percival, I'm raising a toast to you!"

Vivienne raised an eyebrow as a playful aura emanated from her eyes. "What's the occasion?"

According to family hierarchy, it should be her and Percival toasting Astrid.

Astrid chuckled. "I'm usually swamped with work and rarely get to come home. I know that Arabella has always been dismissive of our parents, and I couldn't help much. But since you came back, you've been taking care of them. I can tell they're much happier now, and that's all thanks to you. I'm toasting you to thank you for fulfilling the filial duties on my behalf as well."

Her biological father died when she was ten. Later, Cordelia raised her until she was fifteen, and that was when she met Dorian.

Dorian treated her like his own daughter, never neglecting her, even after he and Cordelia had Thaddeus and adopted Arabella.

She truly regarded Dorian as her father. However, due to her job at the secret service, she rarely came home and found it difficult to take care of them.

Vivienne laughed. Her smile was enchanting, sharing her vibrant energy with all those around her. "Alright! I'll accept your toast. But I don't drink, so I'll substitute with juice instead."

"Good!" Astrid didn't fuss. She raised her glass and downed the drink in one go.

After the meal, Astrid put down her cutlery and looked at Dorian earnestly. "Dad, Mom, I'm back this time for two reasons. First, to see you. Second, because of a work transfer. I need to move to Rivenwood."

Dorian and Cordelia were taken aback, then exclaimed in surprise, "Moving to Rivenwood?! Why the sudden move? You didn't mention this before."

"It was a last-minute decision from the higher-ups. I might come home even less in the future." Astrid looked at them apologetically. "When I'm not here, you must take care of yourselves."

"Take care of what?" Cordelia slammed the table angrily. "You've been away for years! You barely come home, and now you're leaving again? What do you take this home for? A hotel?"

Dorian tried to calm her down. "Why are you mad at her? It's not her fault that her job is transferring her. You're understanding about everything else, so why are you being so petty this time?"

Cordelia shot him a glare. "Is this petty? Look at her age? She's been dating for years but never got married! Every time we push them to get married, she brushes us off!"

After saying this, Cordelia turned to Astrid. "I bet you're planning on delaying your marriage for a few more years, right?"

"Mom!" Astrid was a bit embarrassed. "My work is important. I don't have time for marriage."

"Bullshit!" Cordelia cursed angrily. "What kind of job doesn't allow its employees to get married? Summon your boss here; I want to ask him why he doesn't allow his employees to get married. What's his motive?"

As they bickered, Vivienne and Percival kept quiet, frowning and not voicing their opinions.

Astrid was only twenty-four. She was not that old. But Cordelia, who had experienced a tough life raising Astrid alone after her divorce, hoped that Astrid could find someone who truly loved her.

At one point, Cordelia had mentioned to Vivienne in casual conversation that she didn’t really trust Alfred.

He and Astrid had been dating for several years, but he had never visited their home and never mentioned marrying Astrid. This led Cordelia to believe that Alfred was wasting Astrid’s youth.

So, when Astrid announced that she was moving to Rivenwood, Cordelia’s reaction was intense.

“I told you that my work is important, and it's currently not the right time for marriage." Astrid didn't want to argue with Cordelia on her first day home, so she patiently tried to diffuse the situation. "Mom, stop worrying about me getting married. When it's time, we'll get married."