The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

"Of course I'd accept it!"

Beatrice was about to respond right away, but upon seeing Vivienne's frosty gaze, she felt as if something had clogged her throat, and she couldn't utter a single word.

"Vivienne! What's all this about?" Joseph angrily questioned her. "She's your grandmother. How could you talk to her like that?"

Vivienne slightly curled her lips, elegantly tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear before speaking slowly. "Joseph, if we were in a different place, I wouldn't even bother talking to you with this much patience. Wanna give it a go?"

"You!" Joseph was left fuming and speechless.

That little imp, Vivienne, was yet again using the past to threaten him.

Whether she really had any evidence or not, he couldn't take the risk.

Vivienne glanced indifferently at the Hawthorn family members and spoke in an icy tone, "I, Vivienne, have never acknowledged any connection to you, the Hawthorn family, except for Dorian and Cordelia. If you don't get it, I don't mind stirring up a buzz around the Hawthorn family again."

Beatrice was taken aback. Vivienne knew too many secrets about the Hawthorns. They couldn't let her blow things out of proportion.

Arabella spoke with a frozen expression. "We're all family. Are you really going to take things this far? We're your family, and the prosperity of the Hawthorn family is your prosperity. Accepting the dowry would elevate the Hawthorn family. Why are you trying to stop us from accepting it? You're cutting off your own escape route. Do you get that?"

Vivienne smirked. "I don't need to rely on anyone."

She looked at Arabella as if she were looking at a fool.

Given the current state of the Hawthorn family, even if they got a 10-million-dollar investment, it would take decades to catch up with the Ellington family's wealth.

Even if the Hawthorn family was loaded, the Ellington family would still look down on Arabella.

"You dare discuss my family right in my face? Do you think all my family members are dead?" Percival suddenly spoke, his voice as cold as ice.

Arabella involuntarily shivered, but she still held her head high. "Did I say something wrong? We're discussing the dowry you're giving to my sister. The Ellington family is a wealthy family in Rivenwood. Even if my father asks for $88,000 as a dowry, do you think it's reasonable?

My grandmother is right too. It was you who proposed to fulfill the marriage contract, and it was you who promised a 10-million-dollar dowry to the Hawthorn family, but now you're backing out. Shouldn't we have the right to speak?"

Arabella didn't want to speak up at this moment because she had previously left a bad impression on Percival. She needed to fix her image.

But 10 million dollars was too important for the Hawthorn family.

She couldn't win Percival's heart for now, nor could she get the 10 million dollars, so she could only hope to get the money through Vivienne.

"Excuse me, who are you?" Percival's eyes flashed as he radiated a chilling aura. "A foster daughter spouting nonsense at the real Hawthorn family daughter's engagement party. Where does your confidence come from?"

Arabella was embarrassed. "Mr. Ellington, your words are very hurtful. I may be a foster daughter of the Hawthorn family, but I see them as my own. Now that the Hawthorn family is damaged, of course I need to speak up. Are you saying that you can do wrong and not allow others to point it out?"

What Arabella hated the most was when people mentioned her status as a foster daughter. She was clearly very outstanding. Why did she have to be ridiculed just because she wasn't born into the Hawthorn family?

"I don't argue with dogs." Percival said expressionlessly.

Arabella was so angry that her face turned purple and her lips began to tremble.

Hearing this, Beatrice changed her expression. "There's no need to release the video."

Things at the banquet had just started to calm down. If the video was exposed again, the Hawthorn family would become a hot topic again.

Finding an investment was the priority now.

"So, is it okay if the dowry is given to Dorian?" Percival spoke calmly, but his aura was overpowering.

Beatrice was a bit taken aback.

Both Vivienne and Percival were people who wouldn't back down easily.

She understood now that the Ellington family had no intention of giving them the money.

She remained silent for a while and then said, "Vivienne didn't grow up in the Hawthorn family. We don't have a deep bond. I understand it's reasonable not to give me the dowry. But I'm still her grandmother, and the decision-making power of this family is still in my hands, so at least some of the dowry should be given to us."

After finishing, Beatrice looked at Vivienne. "Vivienne, I didn't want to see things turn out this way today. I have my own dignity. The Hawthorn family really can't hold on any longer. I have to find an investment. I know you hate me for how I treated your mother back in the day, but I'm still your grandmother. I hope you can ask the Ellington family for the 10-million-dollar dowry so that your father won't need to worry about the Hawthorn family's affairs in the future."

Vivienne frowned. Beatrice was really playing dirty to get what she wanted.

She'd even give up her own son for money.

Such a mother was pitiful.

"The marriage dowry is settled. I won't change my mind." Dorian stood in front of Vivienne and said seriously, "But I'll try my best to find you a 10-million-dollar investment. I hope you can go through the engagement party calmly and stop making a fuss."

"You? I know what you're capable of. You can find a 10-million-dollar investment?" Beatrice sneered.

She really looked down on Dorian. He was weak, soft-hearted, and treated women like treasures.

If he could find a 10-million-dollar investment, why would the Hawthorn family be in this state?

"I have something more valuable than 10 million dollars. The Hawthorn family could use it too." Dorian said expressionlessly, "Mom, you know what I'm talking about. Today, for Vivienne, I'm willing to give it up. But after the engagement party, we part ways. What happens to the Hawthorn family in the future is none of my business."

Beatrice was taken aback. She quickly turned to look at Michael and Joseph.

"Fine, it's settled then. You decide on the dowry."

With that, Beatrice sat down and stopped talking.

The rest of the Hawthorn family also quieted down.

Vivienne looked at Dorian as a hint of an unnoticeable light flashed in her eyes.

Was he going to hand over the potion to Beatrice?

"Can we continue the engagement party now?" Richard, who had been silently observing, asked.

Dorian nodded. "I'm sorry you had to see this, Richard. Let's continue."

Richard nodded slightly and had someone bring the 88,000-dollar dowry to Dorian. "The dowry we agreed on before was 88,000 dollars, but after discussing with Percival, we decided to still give a 10-million- dollar dowry for you to handle."

Before anyone could react, Richard continued, "Today, I want to take this opportunity to announce that I have officially retired. From now on, all affairs of the Ellington family will be handled by my grandson, Percival. He will be my successor."