The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 212

Late at night, in Jewel Park.

The news of the upcoming union between the Ellingtons and the Brooks had just broke, so Beatrice had called Arabella immediately.

The Brooks were not fond of Arabella's interactions with Beatrice, so she had to sneak out to meet her in Jewel Park.

Beatrice stood near a staircase, watching Arabella approach wearing a baseball cap and a mask. She chuckled coldly. “Arabella, you’ve come up in the world. It's a struggle just to see you.”

It took countless calls just to arrange this meeting.

She finally understood what Michael and Joseph Hawthorn meant. Arabella was just a fair-weather friend. No matter how much Beatrice loved Arabella, as soon as Arabella had a taste of the high life, she didn’t care about her anymore.

“Granny, what are you talking about?” Arabella forced a laugh. “I've been busy preparing for the college entrance exam lately.”

“Oh really? Or is it because the only one you call 'Granny' now is that old hag, Judith?!” Beatrice gave a cold huff.

Initially, she had planned to get Arabella into the Brooks family, hoping that Judith and Scott would help her revive the Hawthorns.

Unexpectedly, the Brooks family took Arabella back but only thanked her with a small sum of money. They bought them an apartment and said that once Arabella got into Rivenwood, they would transfer the ownership of Hawthorn Mansion to her.

Rubbish!

Was this what she wanted?

She wanted the resurgence of the Hawthorn Group.

“Of course not, Granny. You're overthinking. You raised me; I'm loyal to you.” Arabella hid the disgust in her eyes, but she sneered in her heart.

Beatrice's late husband was Baron Brooks' cousin, whom Baron's father favored and wanted to pass the family's leadership to.

Unfortunately, Baron was shrewd in his youth and managed to take control of the family.

Beatrice was not satisfied and encouraged her husband to cause a lot of trouble, which led Baron to banish them from the Rivenwood, so they moved to Havenwood.

It was said that Beatrice was ruthless back then, almost causing Judith, who was pregnant with Melissa, to lose her life.

Baron almost killed Beatrice, but it was her husband who begged for mercy and promised to take her far away, never to return to Rivenwood.

So there was a reason why Judith despised Beatrice and didn't want Arabella to be in contact with her.

“Now that you're the heiress of the Brooks family and soon to be married into the Ellington family, it's time to fulfill your promise.” Beatrice didn't want to beat around the bush with Arabella. “I’m not asking for much. Just give me two billion dollars.”

“Two billion?!” Arabella exclaimed. “Where am I going to find two billion for you? Even if I go back to the Brooks family, my allowance is only a few.”

Beatrice sure was bold.

“Aren't you going to marry Paul?” Beatrice said coldly, “Percival casually gave Vivienne a set of jewelry worth fifty billion. So, can't Paul, the eldest grandson of the Ellington family, afford a two billion?”

“The wedding gift for Vivienne was only 88,000, so how could I ask for two billion? How would the Ellington family look at me?!” Arabella almost bit her teeth. She couldn’t mention that she had traded other terms for Paul to marry her. He certainly wouldn't give her two billion.

Paul resented her for making him the scapegoat.

“How can you compare Vivienne's status to yours?” Beatrice scoffed. “You're the heiress of the Brooks family. A two billion is not excessive. The benefits that the Brooks family can bring to Paul definitely exceed two billion. Plus, aren't you carrying the Ellington family's heir?”

Beatrice laughed again as she looked at Arabella’s dark expression. She obviously did not want to agree. “Arabella, have you been the heiress of the Brooks family for so long that you've forgotten who you really are?”

“Granny?” Arabella froze.

The staircase was stained with blood, and under Beatrice's twisted body was a pool of slowly spreading crimson.

"Grandma?" She called out tentatively as her voice shook.

Beatrice lay there, motionless.

Afraid but trying to stay calm, Arabella cautiously stepped down the stairs and knelt beside Beatrice. She reached out to check her breath.

It was weak, but she was still alive.

Arabella took out her phone to dial 911, but her fingers froze over the keys.

If Beatrice passed away, she wouldn't have to worry about her threats anymore. There would be no one left who knew she wasn't Scott's biological daughter.

Beatrice was always careful, ensuring her two dim-witted sons never revealed family secrets during their booze-filled outings. So, Michael and Joseph genuinely believed she was a part of the Brooks family.

As for the Brooks, they had already conducted three paternity tests, so there was no need for another.

Even if Scott and Judith continued to have doubts, she could always find ways to deceive them.

With a cold glance, Arabella turned off her phone. A malicious idea came to her mind.

She bent down, used a handkerchief to wrap around Beatrice's finger, and used the blood to write the name 'Vivienne' on the ground.

After straightening herself up, she looked at the name as a satisfied and eerie smile appeared on her lips.

Vivienne, you can take the blame for murdering Grandma!