The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 212

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

“Don’t forget, you’re a fake Beatrice laughed “Without my help, you would never have become the

heiress of the Brooks family!”

“I sold the perfume formula my third son gave me for a measly 100 million to help you deceive

everyone! Did you know that Judith and Scott had two more paternity tests done behind your back?

If I hadn’t been watching them and helping you, your identity would have been exposed long ago! Now,

I want you to repay me twenty times the amount That’s not too much, is it?”

Arabella was stunned She didn’t know that the Brooks family had two more paternity tests done behind

her back. She pursed her lips and said, “How about this? Granny, I’ll help you buy back that perfume

formula”

If it was just a couple of thousand dollars, she could still use the excuse of repaying Beatrice’s kindness

to coax Judith and Scott to help her out

“Haha. That recipe has already gone into production Beatrice shook her head. “Even if you get it back,

it’s worthless. Besides, how could a single recipe bring the Hawthorn Group back from the brink? Two

billion, not a cent less!”

“Granny, you’re driving me to my grave!” Arabella ground her teeth

“How am I driving you to anything?” Beatrice chuckled as her eyes gleamed with malice. 1 gave you a

life of luxury and elevated you to a position you could only dream of It’s only right you repay me

She stepped closer as her hand ghosted over Acabella’s stomach. Her voice dripped with a

malevolence that made Arabella shiver. “And while we’re on

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the subject, is the child in your belly really Paul’s? Or could it be Elijah’s? Or maybe one of the patients

at the N&S Psychiatric Hospital?”

Arabella’s refusal to help her had worn her patience thin. She wouldn’t have resorted to threats if it

weren’t for Arabella’s stubbornness.

“Arabella, be a good girl, and Grandma won’t have to reveal your secrets.”

“Shut up!” Arabella shrieked, swatting Beatrice’s hand away.

Beatrice, already in her sixties, staggered back from the force of Arabella’s push

Behind her lay the staircase. Her hands flailed in the air, but she couldn’t grab onto anything. She

tumbled backward down the stairs, struggled for a moment, then lay still.

Arabella stood there, frozen in shock

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!

The next day at the Jade Garden Residences.