The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 172

Standing on the other side of Judith was Ashley, who began affectionately patting Arabella’s shoulder.

“Arabella, your stepsister Vivienne is quite impressive. She’s not at all like what you described.”

Arabella’s complexion changed. Her relationship with Vivienne had always been tense. Complimenting

Vivienne was akin to criticizing her. Somehow, she managed to squeeze out a smile. “Yes. Who would

have thought that Vivienne would be this remarkable?”

“Indeed, she is.” Judith looked at Vivienne with admiration, then turned to Arabella. “Since she’s your

stepsister and represents your adoptive parents, why don’t you invite her down to meet us? I’d like to

have a chat with her.”

“Of course, Grandma.” Arabella’s long lashes veiled the resentment and jealousy in her eyes, replacing

them with a polite smile.

Beatrice, standing behind her, looked on with resentment. Vivienne was not only Arabella’s stepsister

but also her granddaughter. Judith had praised Vivienne without even casting a glance at her, not even

mentioning her once.

From the moment they had entered, Judith hadn’t bothered to introduce them to anyone.

Indeed, even after all these years, Judith still considered herself superior to everyone else.

But she would endure.

She had learned to bear in silence over the years. Whatever the Brooks family owed them, she would

make sure that Judith and the rest paid it back, bit by bit.

“Sister, I would never have imagined that you were Master Charles.” Arabella approached the runway

and looked up at Vivienne. “You’re truly amazing.”

She didn’t like talking to Vivienne from this angle. Looking up at her was humiliating.

Especially since Vivienne was standing in the spotlight, making her feel insignificant.

But she had already learned her lesson. She couldn’t fight back directly. Hence, she put on a perfect

smile, making it seem like she and Vivienne were the closest of sisters, without any disagreements

between them. “My grandma would like to have a chat with you.” Arabella maintained her smile. “And,

sister, you’ve been standing on the stage for a while now. The show can’t go on unless you step down.

We wouldn’t want to spoil everyone’s fun, would we?”

It seemed like she was accusing Vivienne of being impolite and causing a scene.

Before Vivienne could respond, Mike interrupted them, dawning a cold expression. “I’m not satisfied

with my work at all. I’m canceling the show for today!”

Then he turned to Vivienne with a smile. “Charles, I’ll send you my recent designs and finished pieces

later. I’d appreciate your feedback.”

Helen, standing at the back, was stunned. Was this the same Mike she knew, who always acted aloof

and superior?

“But, sister, you can’t stay up there forever, can you?” Arabella frowned.

She didn’t like Vivienne looking down at her. She wanted her to come down.

“There’s still one matter left unresolved.” Vivienne’s gaze shifted to Hazel in the corner, who was trying

to sneak away. “Do you remember what you said earlier?”

1/3

10:04 m

Hazel froze at the edge of the runway.

“She said that if Mike praised Vivienne’s redesign, she would shave her head right here on this runway

and stay bald forever!” Charlotte chimed in loudly.

“Mike, what do you think of my redesign?” Vivienne asked Mike deliberately.

“It’s perfect. I can’t think of a better design!” Mike gave Vivienne a thumbs–up without hesitation.

“Did you hear that?” Vivienne raised an eyebrow at Hazel. “Hazel, a bet is a bet.”

“No, no, I was only joking!” Hazel pleaded in panic.

“A joke?” Charlotte laughed first. “You were so scornful just now. I didn’t think it was a joke at all. A bet

is a bet. You should just go ahead and shave your head. Stay bald forever!”

“No, I don’t want to shave my head.” Hazel shook her head vehemently and looked at Arabella for help.

“Arabella, help me; I don’t want to shave my head!”

“Sister, why do you have to do this?” Arabella looked distressed. “We’re all sisters here. Why make a

scene?”

“Who’s her sister?” Charlotte stood up. With her hands on her hips, she let out a cold and hearty laugh.

“Is she qualified to be Vivienne’s sister? Stop flattering yourself.”

“This is my banquet. Please, for my sake…” Arabella continued to plead softly, hoping that someone

would speak up for her out of sympathy.

Unfortunately, Hazel had initially chosen to provoke Vivienne, and with Percival sitting there, who would

risk offending his fiancée for a minor character?

“Nothing you say carries any weight.” Vivienne’s eyes narrowed. The cold glint in her gaze was nothing

short of terrifying.

Vivienne looked at Hazel. She spoke in a light but assertive tone. “No one has ever dared to default on

a bet

with me.”

“Percival, please talk to my sister.” Arabella looked helplessly at Percival.

“No one can default on a bet with my fiancée.” Percival’s gaze never wavered from Vivienne.

“Grandma!” Arabella had no choice but to seek Judith’s help. “Can you help Hazel? She’s a girl. If she’s

humiliated in public, how can she face others in the future?”

“Arabella, you’re really strange.” Ashley looked at her with a puzzled expression. “When Hazel was

provoking. and insulting Vivienne earlier, why didn’t you help Vivienne? Didn’t you think that she’d be

humiliated? Isn’t Vivienne your stepsister? Why don’t you help your own kin, but instead, help an

outsider?”

Arabella’s face changed. She didn’t miss the gloating look in Ashley’s eyes.

While in Rivenwood, Ashley felt that this cousin of hers had no right to steal the love and affection of

the Brooks family from her because she wasn’t a true Brooks. She took every opportunity to get back at

her.

Judith hesitated for a moment but finally said, “Arabella, you should keep your distance from friends

who make grandiose promises but back out later.”

Today, since her husband, Baron was in the hospital, Judith, being the eldest in the family, represented

the stance of the Brooks family.

“No! I won’t shave my head!” Hazel’s face turned ghostly pale, and she turned to run but found herself

suddenly frozen in place, unable to move. “What… what’s going on?! Someone help me! I can’t move!”

The crowd beneath the runway watched Hazel, who was frozen in her escape pose, puzzled by her

sudden paralysis.

2/3

10.04 m.

“Helen, help me! I can’t move!” Hazel swiveled her eyes, pleading loudly to Helen, standing next to her.

“What happened? Did you pull a muscle?” Helen finally came back to her senses from her shock.

Before she could step forward, she heard the sharp sound of high heels stepping on the runway behind

her.

Vivienne walked past her with quick and strong steps and stood in front of Hazel. “She can’t move

because she still owes me.” She stated firmly.