The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 174

Hazel could clearly perceive a sense of disdain from Vivienne's indifferent demeanor.

She didn't know when her tears started to flow, but she could only stand rigidly under the gaze of everyone, feeling the cold razor blade being dragged over her scalp again and again. Her heart fluttered from anger, despair, humiliation, and shame, but she had no choice but to endure it.

After the last strand of hair was shaved off, Charlotte proudly showed Hazel's bald head to Vivienne. "Well? My skills aren't bad, right? Not a single scratch! This is the skill I honed from years of grooming our family's Samoyed."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room looked at Hazel's bald head, which was as smooth as a hard-boiled egg, and couldn't help but burst into laughter. It seemed as if Charlotte was treating Hazel like a dog.

Vivienne was somewhat surprised. She had initially chosen a random person to shave Hazel's head, hoping that their lack of skill would cause Hazel some discomfort. But she hadn't expected the result to be so smooth.

A cold breeze rushed into the ballroom, and Hazel suddenly felt a chill run over her bald head. Unable to hold back any longer, she burst into tears.

Clutching her head, she fell to her knees on the glass of the runway, not having the time to ponder how she was suddenly able to move and speak. Amid her tears and curses, she began to berate the two standing in front of her. "Charlotte, Vivienne, you two are..."

"Heh." Vivienne let out a cold, soft chuckle.

Hazel froze, remembering her earlier inability to speak or move, and immediately fell silent.

The whispers and murmurs from the crowd, along with their either gloating or pitying gazes, became too much for her to bear. She pushed herself up and ran from the room.

"Hazel!" Arabella feigned concern as she tried to comfort her.

Hazel brushed off her hand and glared at her resentfully.

"Hazel, why are you looking at me like that?" Arabella took a step back in feigned fear. "You know it's not my fault. My sister wouldn't give me any leeway, and besides, your hair will grow back soon if you take good care of it."

In the end, Hazel shot Vivienne a spiteful look before running out of the ballroom with her bald head under the gaze of everyone present.

"Helen." Arabella looked at Helen on the runway with an innocent expression. "Is Hazel angry with me? But I really couldn't help it. I already pleaded with Grandma."

When Hazel was able to move, Helen also regained her mobility. She gave Arabella a complex look.

Helen could see the truth clearly. Hazel had stood up for Arabella, but Arabella hadn't done all she could to help Hazel.

In the end, she could only say, "It'll be okay once her hair grows back."

Upon hearing this, Vivienne's lips curled into a knowing smile. Only she knew that Hazel's hair wouldn't grow back. Hazel had said she wanted to be bald for the rest of her life, so that was what she would get. "Vivienne, this dress is mine now!" Charlotte had already eagerly run up to the Italian model, unable to take her hands off the dress.

She couldn't wait for the model to take off the dress so she could wear it herself.

Mike was somewhat reluctant. This dress, altered by Vivienne, was something he hadn't even had enough time to admire. But since Vivienne had made her decision, he had no objections.

So he reluctantly followed the Italian model and Charlotte backstage, hoping to get a few more glances at the dress before it was handed over.

Before leaving, he reminded Vivienne, "You promised to help me with the design sketches. You can't go back on your word."

Vivienne nodded slightly. "When have I ever gone back on my word with you?"

With that, Mike left, feeling reassured.

Finally, the commotion on the runway came to an end.

As Vivienne was about to descend the runway, a slender hand suddenly reached out from the side of the stairs, offering a gentlemanly hand to her.

She looked down to see Percival, who had been waiting at the side of the stairs like a knight protecting his princess. Even for these small steps, he wanted to guard her every step of the way. Vivienne's eyelashes fluttered as she met his deep eyes. She placed her hand in his larger one, using his strength to slowly descend the runway.

Arabella's envious gaze fell on their intertwined hands. Her heart was filled with resentment.

Why was it that she couldn't get close to Percival, but Vivienne could?

She was now the heiress of the Brooks family, so her position was closer to Percival than Vivienne's.

But he never even spared her a glance.

Ashley was also watching Percival, the man with a profile as perfect as a Greek sculpture. He was truly attractive, but it was a pity he stood beside another woman.

However her meaningful gaze shifted to Arabella. Her recently recognized cousin was clearly harboring inappropriate thoughts about her brother-in-law.

The previous spectacle had been quite entertaining. She had a feeling that the following events wouldn't be boring either.

Just as Vivienne and Percival returned to their seats, hand in hand, Cecilia looked at Vivienne with excited eyes. However, fearful of breaking her ladylike demeanor, she tried her best to maintain her composure.

She was contemplating how to coax Vivienne into agreeing to design some unique clothes for her when she saw the Brooks family encircling Judith, walking towards them.

"Judith, it's been a while." Cecilia politely initiated the greeting, assuming that Judith was there to see her.

However, after a brief nod to Cecilia, Judith turned her pleasant smile towards Vivienne and Percival. "Ms. Hawthorn, Mr. Ellington, I haven't had the chance to thank you for your help last time." Upon seeing Judith, Vivienne was taken aback for a moment.

She was the elderly woman she had helped before the engagement party.

Vivienne averted her gaze, casually responding, "It was nothing. It's hardly worth mentioning."

Although she was unsure why the elderly woman was here, she had no desire to get involved with her.