The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 78

Vivienne and Percival swung open the doors to the private dining room, drawing the attention of everyone present.

"Is this how she behaves at an engagement party? She's acting all high and mighty, not giving us, the older generation, a second glance. If she really does marry Percival, she's likely to become even more arrogant and rude." Alisa, already somewhat displeased with Vivienne, was seething after having to wait for her.

Vivienne gave them a cold glance. "Did I invite you?"

When Richard and Dorian had discussed the engagement arrangements, they'd planned for only two tables. None of the Hawthorn family's relatives were included in the guest list.

With just one glance, she saw that the Hawthorn family had occupied three tables and uninvited guests had shown up. And they were blaming her?

"You're so rude! Can't you even take criticism for your own faults?! Is this how your mother raised you?" Beatrice yelled angrily.

Vivienne's face darkened. She walked over to Beatrice and said coldly, "Don't you dare mention my mother. You're not worthy!"

"You!" Beatrice was so angry that she felt a twinge in her chest.

After seeing this, Dorian quickly stepped in. "Mom, if you're here to enjoy the party, you're welcome. But if you're here to cause trouble for Vivienne, I'd like you to leave. This is her engagement party, and I don't want it to be ruined."

"Slap!"

Beatrice slapped him angrily as her eyes widened with anger. "You ungrateful son! I'm your mother! I came to my granddaughter's engagement party, and you're trying to kick me out in front of everyone? You think sucking up to the Ellington family gives you the right? As long as I'm alive, you'll never be the head of the Hawthorn family!"

"You slapped my father-in-law in front of me. Did you forget about me?" Percival's eyes narrowed, and his voice was icy.

Beatrice flinched, but still said defiantly, "Percival, he might be your father-in-law, but he's also my son. I'm disciplining my own child. What does it have to do with you?"

She had already apologized to the Ellington family multiple times. She was scared this would ruin the wedding.

Was it wrong for her to criticize Vivienne to save her marriage?

Now Vivienne was ignoring her, Dorian was disrespecting her, and even Percival was embarrassing her in front of everyone. She was so angry that she didn't care about her dignity anymore.

"I don't care about you disciplining your son, but today is my engagement party. You slapped my father-in-law in public, which is an insult to the Ellington family." Percival spoke with his hands in his pockets and his voice calm.

"..."

Before Beatrice could say anything else, Arabella interrupted. "Percival, I'm sorry. My grandmother was just impulsive and said some harsh words. The party has been delayed for long enough. Let's start now; everyone's been waiting... Percival, your leg? It's healed?"

In the middle of her speech, Arabella noticed Percival's leg and was dumbfounded.

What on earth?

How could Percival stand up?

Beatrice, still fuming, looked over at Percival's leg and was stunned. "Mr. Ellington, your leg is healed?"

Just an hour ago, Percival was in a wheelchair. How did his leg heal so quickly after just stepping out?

When Percival was disabled, Richard pampered him as if he wanted to give him everything the Ellington family had. If his leg was healed, wouldn't he be even more favored?

Everyone else was also stunned by Percival standing up, unable to say a word.

Percival ignored them, took Vivienne's hand, and walked straight to the head table.

Beatrice, Dorian, and the other direct relatives of the Hawthorn family were seated at the same table as the Ellington family.

As soon as they walked in, the Ellington family noticed Percival's leg. Cecilia immediately stood up and looked at him in shock. "Percival, your leg?"

The other members of the Ellington family also looked over. Their expressions were varied, and their emotions were complex.

Percival glanced at them and said, "Thanks to Vivienne, I met a miracle doctor on the way to replace her. His acupuncture treatment healed my leg."

People were amazed. "Who is that skilled that they can heal a disabled person with just one acupuncture treatment?"

"Could it be that miracle doctor? I heard that doctor's medical skills are amazing. He can bring people back from the dead, let alone heal disabilities."

"Percival is so lucky to meet that miracle doctor. I heard that doctor's whereabouts are unpredictable. Many people have spent a fortune trying to replace him but couldn't."

Arabella listened to everyone's discussion as her hands clenched tightly.

She never expected that Percival's leg would be healed, especially at the engagement party.

If Percival's leg was healed, then he would no longer be disabled, and Richard might let him take over the Ellington family's business.

Given Richard's favoritism towards Percival, he might even make him the successor of the Ellington family.

She was frustrated. Had she known this, she wouldn't have turned down the marriage proposal. If Percival became the successor, she would be the real mistress of the Ellington family. Cecilia was stoked. She held Percival and stared at him for a long time as she sobbed. "Your leg is healed. It's truly healed. I can finally breathe easy."

With that, something suddenly occurred to her. She turned to Richard and said, "Dad, since Percival's leg is fine, then about this marriage..."

Cecilia opened her mouth, but Richard shot her a stern look, and she immediately clammed up.

Ignoring her, Richard turned to Dorian and said, "Dorian, we can kick off the engagement ceremony now."

Dorian nodded. "Richard, you're the elder. It's only fitting that you should steer the ship for the wedding ceremony."

Richard nodded without any hesitation and then stood up. "Today is the engagement party of my grandson, Percival, and Vivienne from the Hawthorn family. First off, I wish them a lifetime of togetherness, a hundred years of bliss, and a life filled with happiness."

After saying that, Richard had the dowry brought up and said to Dorian, "Here's 88 grand. You might wanna give it a count."

The dowry was laid out on a tray and wrapped in silk.

Just as Dorian was about to speak, Beatrice suddenly stood up, looking very agitated. "Only 88,000 for the dowry? How is this possible? We clearly discussed a 10 million dowry. Richard, isn't this a bit of a low blow?"

"Yeah, Vivienne is a daughter of the Hawthorn family. The Hawthorns hold a high social standing in Havenwood. Giving only 88,000 for the dowry is a slap in our face!" Joseph chimed in.

"I think you guys do not genuinely want Vivienne to marry into your family. If that's the case, we're calling off the engagement." Michael also chimed in.