The Million-Dollar Heart Novel Episode
Chapter 176

Vivienne shot Helen a half-smile that brought back vivid memories of her recent stage fright. The memory was so powerful that it stole the words right out of Helen's mouth. "Sis," Arabella said, looking at Vivienne with pleading eyes. "I know I've never been a real sister to you, but all I want is to hear you play the piano once. Is that too much to ask?" "You..." Vivienne's demeanor turned icy, "aren't worthy."

She was so harsh that they drew furrowed brows from the surrounding crowd, particularly from the Hawthorn clan. Aside from Judith, Scott, and Ashley, everyone seemed irate at Vivienne's cold treatment of Arabella.

After all, Arabella was now the heiress of the Brooks family. Regardless of past quarrels, Vivienne's public humiliation of her seemed uncalled for.

"Vivienne, if you can't play, just admit it. There's no need to put on a show." A brash male voice echoed from the crowd.

Percival's brow furrowed as he turned to face the source of the disruption. It was Paul, whose face was begging to be punched.

The last beating hadn't been enough. Richard had specifically called him back to Rivenwood to keep him away from Arabella, and yet here he was.

"Arabella." Paul stepped forward, presenting her with a gift. "I hope you like it."

Arabella opened the small box to reveal a one-carat diamond necklace. On any other day, such a gift would have thrilled her. But in the presence of Vivienne's Ophelia's Heart, it seemed less impressive.

"I love it." She said. Her voice was hollow, but her face was beaming as she put on the necklace. She then turned to Vivienne with a look of disappointment. "Sis, won't you really give me this gift?" The more Vivienne refused to perform, the more Arabella grew certain that she couldn't play. This made her all the more determined to force Vivienne on stage, make her embarrass herself, and highlight her own talents.

"Ha!" Paul scoffed. "She's just a country bumpkin. What would she know about playing the piano? Arabella, you're wasting your time."

Before, Paul might have found some agreement among the crowd. However, after the recent runway incident and the revelation of Vivienne's identity as the mysterious designer Charles, no one dared underestimate her.

Paul, newly arrived, was still arrogantly belittling Vivienne. "No matter how much a turkey struts, it'll never be a peacock. Arabella, she's no match for you. Your piano playing has won awards. Why don't you go up and give us a real show?"

This was just what Arabella had been waiting for. She moved towards the stage, turning to Vivienne to say, "Sis, I know you're nervous. Let me go first and warm up the audience. You can follow me." Vivienne watched as Arabella decided everything on her own. Her face was a mask of indifference.

"Why are you warming up for her?" Paul laughed. "Does she deserve it?"

Percival's eyes narrowed. He was ready to intervene.

"Paul!" Cecilia steered her daughter, Isolde, through the crowd towards him. Her eyes looked cold and frightening. Paul jumped. "Auntie."

"Apologize to Vivienne." Cecilia demanded, "Don't make me tell your mother how you're embarrassing yourself."

To Cecilia, Vivienne was already part of the family, and she wouldn't tolerate anyone insulting her.

"How am I embarrassing myself?" Paul protested, "Why is everyone siding with this useless woman? My dad, and now you?!"

"Vivienne is my daughter-in-law. Should I side with a stranger like you instead?" Cecilia's tone was ice-cold.

"Exactly! You have terrible taste!" Isolde chimed in while pointing at Arabella. "That woman took credit for my recovery and swindled our family!"

The crowd's attention turned to Arabella, who looked utterly mortified.

"That... that was a misunderstanding!" Paul defended Arabella, who had previously duped his family.

"Will you apologize to Vivienne or not?" Cecilia was done arguing with him.

"I didn't say anything wrong! She's just a hick! She doesn't deserve to be compared to Arabella!" Paul's voice grew louder.

Percival caught Thomas' eye from across the room.

"Mr. Ellington," Thomas interrupted Paul, "you've got something on your chin."

Paul reached to wipe his chin, but Thomas was quicker. With a sharp crack, Paul's jaw was dislocated.

"Ow...uh...uh..." Paul's eyes teared up from the pain as he clutched his dislocated jaw, pointing at Percival and Thomas while making unintelligible sounds. "Get cousin Paul to the hospital." Percival ordered coldly.

"Right away." Thomas responded instantly and dragged Paul out of the room.

Paul had barely been at the party for ten minutes, and Arabella hadn't even lifted the lid of the piano yet when he was hastily escorted out.

The onlookers looked shocked. Was this some sort of service that included injuring people?

Percival was ruthless, even toward his own family.

However, their shock quickly subsided when they saw Percival's icy demeanor. They all backed off. Who would dare mess with such a dangerous man?

Arabella, sitting at the piano on the stage, had a slightly darkened expression. Why were the men surrounding her either disgusting like Elijah or useless like Paul? They couldn't compare to Percival at all.

Her gaze greedily landed on Percival's face through the crowd. She then lifted the piano lid and flashed a confident smile as her fingers began to dance on the keys.

The clear piano music flowed out, echoing throughout the entire banquet hall.

Although her performance couldn't match Debra's earlier one, it was indeed worthy of Arabella's reputation as a talented woman.

Vivienne, standing in the crowd, had a furrowed brow.

Percival instantly asked, "Why the sudden sour face?"

Vivienne's gaze fell coldly on Arabella. "The way she just looked at you... I don't like it!"

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