The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Hayden leaned against the wall, his gaze dripping with disdain as he watched his older brother.

He knew Theodore only dared to raise his voice because Vivienne was not around. He would not dare to let out a peep if she were here.

Just like last night, when Vivienne had Wendy serve water, who came forward to stop her?

After Theodore had his fill of shouting, he started to feign concern for Wendy’s well-being with an air of hypocrisy.

“Mom’s life has been so tough,” he lamented. “What would we do if something happened to her? Mom, don’t you worry. I’ll make sure the business runs smoothly and won’t let it suffer the slightest loss!”

At this, Nancy could not hold back any longer. “Theodore, Mom’s still okay, isn’t she? And you’re already eager to take over the company? Besides, Hayden’s right here. Aren’t you being a bit premature?”

Teresa said, clearly displeased, “Hayden, Theodore is the eldest son. It’s only right he takes precedence. Surely, you understand such basic principles, don’t you?”

“I don’t like the sound of that,” Nancy retorted. “Precedence or not, it’s about whether he’s got the chops!”

“Nancy, how can you talk like that?”

Eliza, who had been listening to the bickering, was so irritated she kicked over a flowerpot. “Will you all just stop? Mom’s still in surgery, and here you are, divvying up the estate. I’m telling you, keep this up, and you’ll get nothing!”

Eliza had always been Wendy’s favorite, and for years, the members of the first and secondary branches of the family had been trying to curry favor with her.

They all knew that Eliza was the real gatekeeper to Wendy’s authority. Winning her over was akin to pleasing the matriarch herself.

Of the bunch, Teresa and Eliza were closest. Nancy never really liked Eliza but maintained a cordial facade.

Mara, however, knew how to play the game and was always on good terms with Eliza.

Seeing Eliza’s anger, Mara quickly came over to comfort her, tears welling in her eyes. “Auntie, please don’t be upset. Grandma’s still in the OR. You’re our rock right now.”

Eliza patted Mara’s head. “You’re always the sweetest. I’m not mad anymore.”

After all, appearances had to be maintained.

The corridor outside the operating room finally quieted down, and Eliza remembered the surveillance system Wendy had installed in her room. Thus, she called for the butler.

everything has been arranged. The footage has been edited, and it’s all been pinned on Vivienne.

work. When Mom wakes up, you’ll get

you, Ms. Eliza, and my greatest gratitude to

evening, with Vivienne’s face clearly

a legion of fans online who adored her looks, and her multiple identities only bolstered her following. She had

video hit the internet, the

[Looks can be deceiving!]

happen? My world is

her! I’ve adored her for so long. How could she be this kind of

elderly person like

abuse, shot

course, many were trolls paid by the

later, celebrities with millions of followers like Stephen, the rising star Darren, and Kala, who had recently made a comeback with “Betrothed Understud,” all shared an unedited video with full audio of

footage of Wendy’s fake fall by twenty times to show that Vivienne never

protégés tweeted the video en masse. When Cecilia, who was scrolling through Twitter, saw it, she was disgusted

Stephen’s post, adding: [Mom, after all these

the Ellington family, was constantly in the public eye, with Nathan handling the Ellington Group’s

involvement and acknowledgment of her

just three minutes, the Boyd Group’s website crashed, and the internet dug up more scandals about the Boyd

PR could not keep up; their

watched Twitter with satisfaction and sent a message to

you’re all

cheered: [Long live

and

kill in a floaty, ethereal gown that showcased her elegant collarbones as she sat

pale, slender fingers held the cutlery as she gazed at Percival, her eyes brimming with affection. “Remember our first meeting? It was also in a restaurant like

pieces,

Percival

and

aside, waiting for Percival to swap

she murmured, a shy

what a fiancé

heart soared with secret delight. Percival was already referring to himself as her