The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 166

At the Brooks family's mansion.

Scott had just hung up the phone with Baron, his expression anything but pleasant.

"Did Richard tattle to your father again?" Judith asked, rubbing her temples in frustration.

"Yeah." Scott massaged his temples, his face a picture of discomfort.

"What on earth was Tristan thinking?" Timothy boomed. "He was supposed to keep an eye on Arabella, not join in her trouble-making activity! Fighting with other students and getting himself half paralyzed? Is he crazy?"

"Big bro, why are you even bothering to replace a top-notch doctor for him? I say let him stay paralyzed for life; it'll save us the trouble once he's healed."

Scott sipped his coffee as his eyes narrowed. Years of navigating the corporate world had given him an aura of authority, even when seated.

Tristan was a boy Karen had saved years ago, and Scott had always had a soft spot for him because of it. Besides, Tristan was exceptionally capable and had made countless contributions to the Brooks family.

When news of Tristan's severe injury reached Rivenwood, Scott immediately sent people to replace a doctor for Tristan, despite the embarrassing circumstances that led to his injury.

However, after consulting several renowned doctors in Havenwood, all seemed hopeless. As a last resort, Scott posted a reward on the Dark Web and even tried to contact the famous Specter Healer through his connections.

"That's enough." Judith intervened. "If you want to blame someone, blame Tristan. What's the point in venting at your brother?"

"Grandma." Ashley, sitting next to Melissa, spun her eyes and asked with malicious intent, "So, are we still going to hold Arabella's reunion party?"

Judith hesitated. Arabella had been back for a month now, and by all accounts, they should have held the reunion party by now, inviting all the major families in Rivenwood for a grand celebration.

But considering the trouble Arabella had caused, Judith was hesitant. After a moment's thought, she said, "We'll have it, of course. Since she's in Havenwood, let's hold it there." Ashley snickered to herself. If Arabella's reunion party wasn't held in Rivenwood, it would certainly raise questions about the legitimacy of her reunion among the other families.

Havenwood.

At the same time that Vivienne received a request from the Brooks family to treat Tristan's injuries, Dorian also received an invitation from them to attend Arabella's reunion party. Cordelia wasn't keen on going. They had already had a fallout with Arabella. What was the point of attending her party?

"Baron and Scott personally called me." Dorian scratched his head, looking at the invitation card. "I owe them both a lot. It would be rude not to go."

During their time with the Brooks family, Baron and Scott treated Dorian very well. He was not one to forget past favors.

"I'll go alone. You can say you were busy."

"Have you forgotten how Arabella falsely accused you before?" Cordelia's face darkened. "What will people say if you go to the party?"

Even now, she still heard whispers when she dropped Thaddeus off at kindergarten.

Dorian was silent for a moment, then looked up at Vivienne. "How about you go for me, Vivienne?"

If it were Beatrice who had invited them, he would definitely not go.

But he couldn't refuse Scott's invitation.

Even though their family had been separated from the Brooks family, his bond with him remained.

But the party was for Arabella, who had previously falsely accused him. He still had a lingering fear of her. After much thought, it seemed most appropriate for Vivienne to go.

After all, Arabella was still her student.

"Sure." Vivienne had no objections.

The Brooks family's invitation was unexpected, yet not completely surprising.

The party was in two days at the Victoria Hotel.

Arabella had gone all out for her party, inviting many of her classmates and people from all the major families in Havenwood.

Outsiders didn't realize that the Brooks family held the party in Havenwood to avoid embarrassment. They assumed it was because they loved Arabella so much that they were willing to travel all the way to Havenwood to accommodate her.

When news of the reunion party spread, praises, and flattery for Arabella came from all corners. Those who wanted to get in good with the Brooks family conveniently forgot her past misdeeds.

On the day of the party, when Vivienne arrived, the hotel's banquet hall was already bustling with activity.

The men were in suits, chatting and laughing. The women were dressed in elegant gowns, each trying to outshine the other. Even the students from Cloudcrest High School were in formal attire. Vivienne stood out in her simple T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers among the sea of high heels.

She walked into the banquet hall with a serene expression, attracting many glances, but didn't seem to mind.

She looked up and met Arabella's eyes. Arabella was surrounded by a group of young boys and girls and was coming down from the upstairs lounge.

"Sis, you're here." Arabella smiled politely at Vivienne in front of everyone. As the star of the day, her smile had a hint of condescension.

Her gaze swept past Vivienne, failing to spot Dorian and Cordelia. Although she was a bit miffed, she thought it was for the best. It was good to avoid gossip about past events.

But Percival was nowhere to be found.

"Why didn't Percival accompany you?"

"Hehehe. Arabella, don't you understand why after seeing her dressed like this?" A round-faced girl standing next to Arabella offered a sarcastic laugh. "Mr. Ellington must be too embarrassed to show up, of course."

"Exactly. How could your sister show up dressed like this?" Another girl also sneered at Vivienne. "Does the young master of the Ellington family not even deign to gift his fiancée a proper gown? I heard she grew up in the countryside; no wonder she's not fit for high society."

Vivienne lowered her eyes to her own attire.

Yeah.

It wasn't exactly the best.

In fact, before she left home, Cordelia had prepared a beautiful dress for her. She had intentionally chosen to dress as she was.

She was quite vindictive.

Although Arabella had paid for her false accusations against Dorian, her haughty attitude was quite annoying.

She was now Ms. Brooks? Ha!

"Hazel, Leah, stop badmouthing my sister." Arabella pretended to scold her companions, then turned to Vivienne with feigned kindness. "Sister, do you not have the money for a proper dress? I have several spare gowns in my dressing room; why don't you borrow one and change?"

"Arabella, why are you being so kind?" Hazel, a sycophant Arabella had recently befriended at school, was eager to please Arabella. Of course, she would eagerly disparage Vivienne.

"Each of your dresses is expensive. What if she stains or damages one? Or steals it to sell somewhere?"

"Oh, stop talking nonsense!" Arabella covered her mouth with her hand, feigning shock as she retorted, "How could my sister ever do such a thing?"

She yelled it out loud. Vivienne already stood out at the party due to her attire.

With Arabella's outburst, the attention of those around them was drawn to them. Their conversation was overheard, and people began pointing fingers at Vivienne.

"This is no lie. The starry skirt you're wearing alone is worth a million." Leah, who came from Rivenwood, was unaware of the past grievances between Arabella and Vivienne.

However, Arabella had spoken ill of Vivienne during her time in Rivenwood, so Leah naturally had no good feelings towards her.

With a disdainful look, she pointed at Arabella's starry skirt. "See this? This is a work by the internationally renowned designer, Charles. I bet you've never seen a dress as expensive in your life. For a hick like you, even touching it would be a sacrilege."