The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 220

Ever since she became the heiress of the Brooks family, Arabella had been showered with flattery by men. She was blinded by this and started to genuinely think that she was irresistible, forgetting that these men were drawn to her due to the power and influence of the Brooks family.

If she were just Arabella Hawthorn, neither Tristan nor Paul would have bothered to glance at her.

"Arabella, you're the reason I’m like this. I won't let you get away with it." Tristan's icy gaze sent shivers down Arabella's spine.

Her legs were weak, and she could barely stand. She slowly retreated, but she suddenly felt a foot heavily pressed on her back.

"Where do you think you're going, my cousin?"

Arabella looked back in fear, only to see Ashley standing at the door with several muscular men.

Ashley watched Arabella with a look of disdain, unable to comprehend how someone could be so shameless. Even after being exposed, Arabella still refused to admit her wrongdoings.

"Tristan, help me. Please!" Arabella turned to Tristan, pleading for his help.

"Oh, didn't you know?" Ashley chuckled lightly. "These men work for your dear Tristan."

As Arabella was dragged away, Calista entered.

Like a drowning woman grasping at a lifeline, Arabella reached out and clung to Calista's sleeve. "Calista, please help me!"

Calista looked at the fingerprints left on the place where her clothing was pulled, her eyes showing disgust.

Tristan gave an order, and the man holding Arabella mercilessly broke her fingers. Arabella's screams echoed through the entire floor.

Calista, as if she hadn't heard, just lowered her head to examine Tristan's body.

Ashley merely turned to Tristan and asked, "Where are you taking her?"

"To where she belongs." Tristan replied coldly, clearly not wanting to discuss the matter further in front of Calista.

...

After examining Tristan, Calista left.

And Tristan's eyes lingered on Calista.

Ashley couldn't help but mock him. "Don't bother. You're not in Calista's league."

Tristan knew this all too well. Even before he was injured, he wasn't worthy of Calista. The truth stung, but he could do nothing but accept it.

Ashley sneered, leaving the hospital room without looking back.

As she passed by Calista's office, she saw her talking on the phone. Ashley nodded at her, and Calista nodded back before Ashley walked away.

"Mom," Calista said slowly, holding her phone and watching Ashley's retreating figure. "Did you see the news about the Brooks family?"

Her mother’s voice came through the line, sounding both proud and aloof. "Yes. How's Scott doing?"

"He's taken it hard," replied Calista.

A moment of silence passed before her mother replied. "I'll be in Havenwood for a concert in a few days. We should meet."

"Sure." Calista agreed and ended the call.

Her parents had been in a loveless, arranged marriage and parted ways when she was ten. Despite being raised by her father and seeing her mother infrequently, she felt a closer connection to her mother.