The Million-Dollar Heart novel Chapter 35

Beatrice instantly started looking for Vivienne and Percival but saw no sign of them. Her forehead scrunched up in worry. The medicine meant for Vivienne was ingested by Joseph instead. Vivienne and Percival were supposed to be in this room, but now it was occupied by Joseph and a nanny. Beatrice had seen too much in her lifetime and immediately suspected Vivienne was behind this.

"That little bitch!" Beatrice fumed.

"Grandma, let's not get heated up, we need to sort this out first!" Arabella was equally livid.

She had no idea how Vivienne discovered the aphrodisiac in her drink, let alone why Joseph ended up taking the drug she made. But she had no time to dwell on that, she just wanted to get the current situation under control.

Beatrice knew this wasn't the time to investigate these issues. She glanced at the gawping guests, feeling utterly humiliated. She instructed Arabella, "Since you made the drug, give Joseph the antidote."

Arabella nodded, she was thinking the same.

She summoned two security guards to bring Joseph down. Then, she pretended to examine him and slipped him the antidote when no one was watching.

But Joseph showed no sign of improvement, the antidote didn't work!

Arabella's brow furrowed instantly, what was going on? Why wasn't her antidote working? She remembered that Vivienne had some medical skills. Did Vivienne change her drug? That's just impossible!

Vivienne was just a village girl from Emerald Mountain. Even if she had some medical knowledge, it was elementary at best. She must have lucked out when she cured Isolde. She couldn't possibly know how to make aphrodisiac. Could it be Percival? It must be him. He's a cripple, couldn't get a wife, so he planned to drug Vivienne. But he didn't expect Joseph to take it instead.

Beatrice also noticed that the antidote had no effect on Joseph, who seemed more energetic and stronger than before. He pushed the security guards aside and lunged at the nanny again, creating another indecent scene. Everyone started to feel awkward by the scene.

Beatrice's face darkened. She looked at Arabella, questioning her with her eyes.

Arabella collected her gaze, stood up and announced loud enough for everyone to hear, "Grandma, Joseph has taken an aphrodisiac."

Beatrice, being the sharp woman she is, immediately caught on to Arabella's intentions and played along, "What? An aphrodisiac?"

"Yes." Arabella looked satisfied with Beatrice's cooperation and continued, "I've checked, he's taken a very potent aphrodisiac. It can only be neutralized through sexual intercourse."

Beatrice roared, "Who would do such a vile thing?"

Arabella's eyes suddenly became sharp, she whispered, "There's one thing that's bothering me. Vivienne and Mr. Ellington were in this room just now, how did it end up being Joseph? And Joseph's room is upstairs. Even if he wanted to have sex with the nanny, he would have chosen a more secluded spot. Why here? It only increases the chance of being discovered."

Arabella's voice was steady and strong, making sure everyone could hear the implications in her words.

In reality, such a scandal should be handled privately.

But since many people had witnessed it, some even recording the incident. It had to be dealt with publicly.

They had to prove that Joseph was framed and that no one from the Hawthorn family was involved in this disgraceful act.

She didn't believe for a second that Joseph and the nanny had an illicit relationship.

He was a Hawthorn after all, if he wanted an affair, he would have chosen a beautiful woman with a great body, right?

What was so special about this nanny?

Hearing Arabella's words, the crowd nodded, thinking it made sense.

Who would be so careless when having an affair?

There was definitely more to this story.

"Vivienne?" Beatrice suddenly raised her voice, "Vivienne framed Joseph!"

She turned to Dorian and yelled, "Your precious daughter framed Joseph to avoid getting caught on her filthy deed.

Dorian, who had been relieved when he found out Vivienne wasn't in the room, immediately retorted, "Mom! We haven't figured out what happened yet, how can you be so sure it's her?"

"If not her then who?" Beatrice seethed. "Just now, several nannies saw her and Mr. Ellington in this room. But then it was Joseph and this happened. Everyone is here, but she and Mr. Ellington are missing. Then tell me, where is she?"

Just as she finished speaking, a cold voice came from behind them, "Are you looking for me?"

They turned to see Vivienne pushing Percival towards them.

Leopold and Thomas had been observing from the sidelines, fully aware of the true intention behind all this drama – an attempt to frame Vivienne and Percival that backfired. But they kept their thoughts to themselves, worried about Percival's condition.

Seeing Percival, they rushed over, "Mr. Ellington, are you okay?"

Percival looked up, tone indifferent, "Why wouldn't I be?"

Leopold and Thomas were relieved upon hearing this.

Arabella noticed Vivienne standing there, a glint of cold fury flashed in her eyes.

She walked up and asked, "Sister, what are you doing here?"

Vivienne gave her a sidelong glance, her gaze icy cold. "And where should I be?"

Arabella said, "Weren't you changing your clothes in this room? Grandma couldn't find you, so she came to check. But she found Joseph and the nanny instead... Sister, Joseph was drugged. Can you explain what's going on?"

"Why should I?"

"Only you, Mr. Ellington, Joseph and the nanny have been in this room. Now that Joseph is in trouble, you need to explain. Otherwise, grandma is going to call the police. As her own granddaughter, if you admit it, grandma and Joseph probably won't be too harsh on you."

Vivienne took her hand off Percival's wheelchair, walked over to Arabella's side, and looked down at her. "Are you sure only the four of us have been in this room?"

"Absolutely!" Arabella said with certainty.

The room had been emptied for the plan tonight. No one had entered before Vivienne.

Vivienne's red lips curved slightly, her beautiful phoenix eyes squinting, and a faint smile hung on the corner of her mouth. "Don't you consider yourself a human?"