The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 168

Upon seeing the disdainful looks Vivienne received, Cecilia was seething.

She glared at Percival. “I’m warning you. If I see anyone else look down on your wife again, don’t

blame me for disowning you as a son!”

“Isn’t it interesting that you, the famous Scent Maestro, Master Q, aren’t famous?” Cecilia sneered.

“Why do they think you can’t afford to buy a gown?”

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She took Vivienne’s hand and led her to another

part of the hall. “Today, the Brooks family invited many international supermodels to liven up the event,

showcasing designs by renowned designer Mike.”

“Mike’s designs may not be as brilliant as Master Charles‘, but they are still very sought after.”

“Let’s go. Mom will buy you all of Mike’s designs as engagement gifts!”

Vivienne was stunned. “Mom?”

Was their relationship progressing that fast?

She hadn’t even decided to marry Percival yet. She was just not breaking off the engagement.

Before she could refuse, Cecilia had already dragged her away.

After they left, Percival felt a tug at his pants leg.

“Brother…”

He looked down to see Isolde standing beside him with a disgruntled expression. He frowned. “Why

are you wandering around alone?”

“I’m not wandering.” Isolde pouted. “Mom saw Vivienne being bullied and ran off to call you. She forgot

about

me.”

Percival sighed.

Today, the older members of the Brooks family, considering their status, were still upstairs in the

lounge. enjoying coffee with a few familiar friends from Rivenwood.

Meanwhile, Beatrice and her sons were mimicking the Brooks‘ family’s high–brow attitude, lingering

upstairs as well.

However, it wouldn’t be good to let Arabella, the star of the event, greet everyone alone, so they sent

Ronald and Ashley, the younger members of the family, to help entertain the guests.

Ashley, who had been accompanying a few well–off ladies in the back coffee room, was unaware of the

disturbance at the banquet. When she noticed Cecilia hadn’t returned for a long time, she went out to

look for

her.

When she arrived at the banquet hall, she saw a tall man in a black suit. He had one hand in his pocket

and the other holding a petite, doll–like girl, walking towards the stage.

The man’s features were cold and deep, and his lips were slightly pursed. His entire demeanor was

intimidating, yet it made people unable to resist a second glance.

Ashley was taken aback. The last time she saw him, he was a disabled man in a wheelchair. She never

expected to be so taken aback upon seeing him again.

She watched as Percival led Isolde into the audience seats on the left side of the stage, handed Isolde

over to Cecilia, and then sat down next to a young woman in a champagne–colored fishtail gown. He

affectionately

brushed a stray hair off her shoulder.

The young woman turned to look at him. Her face was stunningly beautiful, and her eyes were cool yet

soft.

It was Vivienne.

Ashley instantly recognized the “Dream Butterfly” gown on Vivienne. A design that was one of a kind in

the world. Her gaze then shifted to Arabella, who was looking rather sullen.

Just then, one of the staff members Ashley had assigned to keep an eye on Arabella walked over and

whispered the recent happenings into her ear. A playful smile appeared on Ashley’s lips.

It seemed like there would be a good show to watch.

Instead of joining the crowd on the stage, she turned to find Ronald. She needed to delay him so he

wouldn’t be able to come over and help Arabella too soon.

The more fiercely the Hawthorn sisters fought, the more interesting It would be.

As she was about to leave, she couldn’t help but take another look at Percival. He was leaning over,

speaking affectionately to Vivienne. The stage lights highlighted his perfectly sculpted profile.

Suppressing her racing heart, Ashley lifted her skirt and hurried off to find Ronald.

On the stage.

The Brooks family had invited renowned fashion designer Mr. Mike to celebrate Arabella’s birthday.

Known for his exquisite gowns, many celebrities felt honored to wear his designs on the red carpet.

His self–established brand, Mike Turner, exceeded his competitors in both bespoke and ready–to–wear

sales. Therefore, when Mr. Mike wanted to break into the domestic market, several companies were

battling to secure the brand’s agency rights.

In the end, the agency rights went to the Edwards Group, which primarily dealt in clothing.

“How’s that, Arabella? I’m pretty good to you, right?” Helen said to Arabella, who had changed out of

her champagne–soaked starry skirt. “It took a lot of convincing to get Mike to come and celebrate your

birthday.” Not only that, but Mike had also brought along numerous international supermodels in

consideration of his recent partnership with the Edwards Group.

Although it was just a small fashion show, the designs showcased were his latest couture pieces, so he

spent most of his time backstage overseeing the models and hadn’t made an appearance yet.

“Thank you.” Arabella’s smile was forced. The gown she had changed into was one of Mike’s new

designs, but it paled in comparison to the starry skirt she had worn earlier. Even so, the starry skirt was

nothing. compared to the ‘Dream Butterfly‘ gown Vivienne was wearing.

“She’s just clinging to Percival.” Helen followed Arabella’s gaze and scoffed dismissively. “No matter

how fancy her dress is, it can’t hide the fact that she’s a country bumpkin.”

“Exactly. Look at her pretending to appreciate the fashion show. Does she even have the taste to

appreciate it?” Hazel also sneered.

“The way you talk behind people’s backs is quite unattractive.”

Hazel turned around, only to find that Charlotte had silently arrived. She was standing at the back row

with her arms crossed over her chest. She scoffed at them and then headed towards Vivienne.

She hadn’t initially planned to come. Yet, due to the other members of her family being preoccupied,

she was left with no choice but to attend, which explained her deliberate tardiness.

“Did I say something wrong?” Hazel shifted her gaze from Charlotte to Vivienne, who was looking at

the runway with a lack of interest. After noticing that Charlotte had arrived, Vivienne nodded slightly at

her.

Before, when Percival and Cecilia were absent, Hazel would boldly ridicule Vivienne. But now, after

seeing the two figures sitting on either side of Vivienne like bodyguards, she realized she could no

longer be too insolent.

However, seeing the aggrieved look on Arabella’s face and the luxurious dress and jewelry on Vivienne

that stirred her jealousy, she couldn’t help but mockingly provoke her. “Vivienne, what do you think of

Mike’s show this time?”

She didn’t really expect Vivienne to share any thoughts. In her opinion, Vivienne, who could attend a

banquet in a T–shirt and jeans, surely had no sense of fashion. She would probably just parrot a few

words of praise like everyone else.

Surprisingly, Vivienne stared at a newly revealed ball gown and furrowed her brow, then shared a

thoughtful critique. “Beyond is as wrong as falling short.”