The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Watching the two families on the brink of another spat, Wendy tapped impatiently on the floor with her cane. “Marrying you two into the Boyd family has been headache enough. There’s no way Gillian is setting foot in our house. You can forget that fantasy right now!”

Nancy’s anger subsided a bit at her mother-in-law’s words. As long as Mara and Gillian remained tight as thieves, she felt secure that the Ashford fortune would not slip through their fingers.

Teresa, momentarily distracted from her quarrel with Nancy, chimed in anxiously, “Mom, aren’t you worried about the Ellingtons sticking their nose in our business?”

“The Ellingtons don’t have the guts,” Wendy snapped, giving Teresa a sharp look. “Eliza and Patrick have already come to an understanding. No need for you to fret.”

With a dismissive wave, Wendy signaled for them to retire to their rooms.

Seeing this, the members of the first and secondary branches of the family had no choice but to leave the room.

It was then that the butler rushed in, his face flushed with panic. “Vivienne and Percival have arrived!”

Wendy raised an eyebrow, her expression darkening. “So they’re here. Why the fuss? It’s not like they can eat you.”

The butler stammered, clearly terrified, “Wolves, wolves!”

“What wolves? You idiot. What’s the point of keeping you if you can’t even form a proper sentence?” Wendy’s expression turned gloomier.

“They’ve brought a pack of wolves! They let them loose in the courtyard, and they’re tearing up your prized rose garden and… and Mr. Theodore’s pet beagle… it’s been eaten, and now…”

He paused, glancing fearfully at Wendy before continuing with a trembling voice, “Some of them have even jumped through your bedroom window. The servants are hiding everywhere, too scared to come out.”

The Boyd household’s servants were usually bustling about from dawn, not idling in the main hall.

When Vivienne and Percival entered with their pack of wolves, the terror they incited was palpable. One servant had even fainted from fear.

“Wolves? Here?” Wendy gasped in disbelief. “Where did they come from?”

his legs shaking. “What should we do? The doors to the great hall are shut tight; the wolves can’t get in there

finish, a blood-curdling scream erupted from upstairs,

members of the Boyd family thundered down the stairs. Teresa clutched her daughter Margot close as she ran to Wendy’s side, her voice shaking. “Mom, what is happening? Why are there wolves running

was in the bathroom when one crashed through the window. I nearly

Mara and Margot, usually at

the butler to call the police. But before he could

swung her cane desperately, but the more she fought, the more vicious they became,

her garments were torn to ribbons, leaving

onlookers were stunned and silent, having never anticipated this

concern was for Wendy. Her sons and grandsons, red with anger and embarrassment,

dare wrestle with a

the butler turned his back, unable

more wolves descended, sending the family into a frenzy of hide and seek. But they were quickly

every member of the Boyd family, from Wendy down

had scattered in fear. The great hall was empty save

a feast, and the family

sobbed and screamed for help, “Someone save

want to

though accustomed to crises, had never faced anything like this. As her children and

far from composed. They stood rigid, staring at the hungry wolves, their bodies tense with the instinct

family was on the

and Vivienne

Percival’s typically composed face twist with disgust. Without a moment’s hesitation, he grabbed Vivienne, spun her around, and walked right back out, his hand

becoming more rebellious

to worry, that she would handle everything. He trusted

have never consented if he had known that Vivienne

deal with the Boyds

was supposed to witness

Boyd family was done for!Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join &