The Million-Dollar Heart novel Chapter 79

The Hawthorn clan was all worked up. They had high hopes that Vivienne's dowry would revive their family's fortune. But who could've guessed that the Ellingtons only coughed up a meager 88K? How could they swallow that?

So some relatives started grumbling, “You Ellingtons are such cheapskates! Even if the Hawthorns are just regular folks, 88K as a wedding gift is way too stingy. That’s just not on!”

“Did you lower the dowry to 88K just because Percival’s leg is healed? That’s low, even for you. You were willing to give 10 million when Percival was ill. But now that his leg’s all good, you’ve slashed the dowry. That’s not right!”

Everyone was chiming in, not giving Richard a chance to get a word in edgewise.

Arabella was shocked at the 88K dowry, but secretly, she was thrilled.

So what if Vivienne was a real Hawthorn? To the Ellingtons, she was only worth 88K.

Now, with Percival’s leg healed, they cared even less about Vivienne. Looked like she still had a shot at winning this match.

“What the heck are you all blabbing about?” Dorian snapped, “I was the one who suggested the 88K dowry. I’m not selling my daughter! 10 million dollars? I don’t need it. I just want my daughter to live happily!”

Beatrice jerked her head up and stared at him in disbelief. “You suggested it?”

“Yes, I did! And I’ll let Vivienne take the entire 88K with her when she gets married.”

Dorian looked serious. “Mom, are you disappointed? Did you expect me to get 10 million and give it to you? Dream on! Even if there’s just a penny left, I won’t give it to you.”

“You ungrateful child!” Beatrice clutched her chest. “I raised you with my own blood, sweat, and tears, and this is how you repay me? If I knew you’d be this ungrateful, I should’ve never had you!”

She had been hoping to get that 10 million to save the Hawthorn family’s business.

But now her son had ruined it all. How could she not be furious?

“Dorian, you’re way out of line! She is your mother, and Vivienne is her granddaughter. Mom has always taken care of the family's wedding affairs. Why didn't you consult her on such an important matter? Do you even consider her our mother?" Michael roared.

"Don’t you know the state the Hawthorn family is in? Do you want to see our family’s business go under? Dorian, how could you be so cold-hearted?" Joseph chimed in.

Everyone knew the state the Hawthorn family was in. They just didn't want to air their dirty laundry in public, especially not in this setting. It would be humiliating to let everyone know that the Hawthorns were banking on Vivienne's dowry to save their business.

But right now, they couldn't care less.

They had to fight for a bigger dowry.

Even if they couldn't get 10 million, a few hundred thousand or a million would do. At least it'd ease the financial strain on the Hawthorns.

Dorian looked at them coldly. "I really don’t get it. Vivienne is my daughter, so why can't I make decisions for her? A grandma demanding her granddaughter's dowry? I bet we're the only ones in Havenwood who would do such a thing!"

"What's wrong with me wanting her dowry?" Beatrice stood her ground. "Vivienne is a Hawthorn; she should follow our tradition. I’m the head of the Hawthorns.'"