The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

As for the engagement dowry, both families had no objections and decided to go with Cordelia's suggestions. If for some reason the kids decided to call off the wedding due to personal issues, the Hawthorn

family would refund the wedding gift in full.

Of course, taking a wedding gift during the engagement was a tradition on the Havenwood side.

Aside from that, the engagement banquet would be hosted by the bride's side.

The engagement banquet was kept simple. Once both families agreed on the attendees, they booked a hotel. Consider that sorted.

After Richard and his family had dinner at our place, they left.

Once they were gone, Vivienne walked up to Cordelia, her eyes silently studying her.

Cordelia was a bit confused by her intense gaze and asked, "What's up?"

Vivienne pressed her lips together, not saying a word.

Seeing this, Cordelia started to panic, "Do you think the wedding gift we're asking for is too little? Let me explain, we..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Vivienne suddenly hugged her and said, "Thank you."

Cordelia was taken aback.

Ever since Vivienne returned, she had always kept her distance, rarely talking. Cordelia didn't expect Vivienne to suddenly hug her, she felt a bit awkward, "Why are you thanking me all of a sudden?" Apart from her mother, Vivienne had never hugged anyone else. She pulled away from Cordelia, a bit embarrassed, and didn't say anything else.

Dorian was equally surprised, but he quickly understood and said, "Vivienne is thanking you for treating her like your own child."

This realization made him feel bittersweet. His beloved Vivienne had never hugged him before.

"Is that so?" Cordelia looked at Vivienne.

Vivienne nodded, "I've heard that stepmothers are usually mean!"

Cordelia couldn't help but laugh, "You're your father's daughter and I'm his wife. Of course I would treat you as my own. I'm a mother too, I couldn't do something wicked like that." Vivienne smiled, "Cordelia, you're the best."

"You're so sweet." Cordelia grinning from ear to ear.

Being praised by her stepdaughter was indeed something to be proud of.

Vivienne suddenly said, "Don't worry about the wedding. I can buy my own house."

"How could we let you do that?" Cordelia quickly interjected, "As your parents, we should handle your wedding. You don't need to worry about this. We've already discussed it, your father will look for a job. If he can't find a good one, he'll work on a construction site. He can make ten thousand dollars a month. You're still young, you won't get married for another two or three years at the earliest. We'll save up to buy a house and a car, although the house might be a bit small."

Upon hearing this, Vivienne was moved. Even though Dorian was from the Hawthorn family, he was willing to work on a construction site for her.

"No need, keep the money for Astrid."

"She's not in a hurry. I've asked her. She said she's not thinking about marriage yet, her boyfriend isn't reliable."

Upon hearing this, Vivienne didn't say anything else.

She knew it was impossible for Dorian to do heavy labor.

Dawson should arrange Dorian's job by tomorrow at the latest.

In the afternoon.

Cordelia picked Thaddeus up from kindergarten. As the family was getting ready for dinner, Arabella came by.

Seeing her, Dorian and Cordelia's faces instantly turned serious.

Just thinking about her drugging Vivienne made them want Arabella to leave.

However, since Arabella was adopted by them, they didn't want to be too harsh. They just kept a serious face and let her in.

Cordelia, who was about to serve dinner, took the food back into the kitchen.

Arabella looked upset. Was she really not even going to get a meal here?

It seemed Cordelia knew what she was thinking and said, "Our food is very simple. You're used to the good food at the Hawthorn family, so you might not like it. That's why we're not eating together."

Her tone was cold.

Arabella clenched her fists. It was clear to her that the distance between her and Dorian's family was irreparable.

Shaking off her thoughts, Arabella smiled and said, "Mom, Dad, Grandma sent me. She heard that Vivienne and Mr. Ellington are engaged and she wanted me to tell you that since the Ellington family is a wealthy family, Vivienne, as Mr. Ellington's future wife, needs a certain level of education. She wants Vivienne to go to school."

Dorian and Cordelia were taken aback, "School?"

"Yes! Grandma said it's too late for Vivienne to start from elementary school, so she wants her to start from twelfth grade at least, to get a high school diploma. But considering Vivienne's situation, she might not get into a good school, so Grandma is willing to pay for her to go to Cloudcrest High School, Class Eighteen."

Upon hearing this, Dorian and Cordelia's faces turned serious.

Beatrice was out of line.

Vivienne was already nineteen, and Beatrice wanted her to start from elementary school?

It sounded like she was paying for her to go to Cloudcrest High School, but everyone in Havenwood knew that Class Eighteen at Cloudcrest High School was a mess.

The students in that class were all from wealthy families. They were unruly at school, bullying the teachers was common, and no teacher dared to teach that class anymore.

If Vivienne went to that class, who knows how much bullying she would have to endure.

"Tell your granny not to worry about Vivienne anymore. I'm thinking of sending her off to med school," Cordelia said seriously.

She'd had this idea since the morning, but with Percival's family coming over to ask for Vivienne's hand, it had slipped her mind. She hadn't even had the chance to run it by Vivienne yet.

Arabella was taken aback. "Med school?"

Vivienne seemed surprised too.

Hatred almost spewed from Arabella's eyes.

No one had ever given a damn about her education when she was in this family. Now, the moment Vivienne stepped back in, someone was planning her life for her.

What kind of kind woman was Cordelia pretending to be? She was nothing but a stepmother. Did she think Vivienne would fall at her feet in gratitude?

She must be dreaming!

Vivienne was the definition of an ingrate. Otherwise, how could she have plunged the Hawthorn family into such a mess?

Arabella hid her emotions and said quietly, "Even if Vivienne wants to go to med school, she needs at least a high school diploma. Right now, she doesn't have any qualifications, and no school will accept her." At this, both Dorian and Cordelia fell silent.

Arabella had a point. Medical colleges were universities, and Vivienne hadn't received a formal education. Even if she went, she might not be able to learn well.

If Vivienne were to go to high school now, she might not be able to keep up, let alone in Class Eighteen at Cloudcrest High School. That was more than just a place to study.

Vivienne gave Arabella a deep look and a faint smile tugged at her lips. "You think I should go to Cloudcrest High School?"

"Of course. I wish you well."

Vivienne withdrew her gaze and said calmly, "Then I'll go."

Dorian and Cordelia were shocked. "Vivienne..."

A triumphant smile crossed Arabella's face. Before they could say anything, she said, "I'll go tell Granny right away..."

"No need, I'll go myself," Vivienne said calmly.

Arabella was taken aback. "Sis, it's Cloudcrest High School. Without Granny's help in the admission process, you won't even get past the front door."

Vivienne raised her head and looked at her calmly. "Who said I was going to study?"

"Didn't you just say..."

"I did say I was going to Cloudcrest High School. But as a teacher!"