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.

and it’s all been pinned on Vivienne. It’ll be

her approval. “Good work. When Mom wakes up, you’ll get

and my greatest gratitude to

went viral that evening, with Vivienne’s face clearly

a legion of fans online who adored her looks, and

the

[Looks can be deceiving!]

happen?

not her! I’ve adored her for so long. How could she

elderly person

elder abuse, shot to the top of

and of course,

had recently made a comeback with “Betrothed Understud,” all shared an unedited video with full audio of the actual

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

When Cecilia, who

[Mom, after all these years, why are you still like

of the third branch of the Ellington family, was constantly in the public eye, with Nathan handling the Ellington

and acknowledgment of her mother’s actions

the Boyd Group’s website crashed, and the internet dug up more

keep up; their reputation was

and sent a message

you’re all getting a

[Long

phone and parked her

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

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

pieces, yet none

“Is Percival cutting

had taken Wendy’s advice and chosen to engage with her, forsaking

aside, waiting for Percival to

she murmured, a shy

“It’s what a

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