The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Teresa wanted to speak up, but catching the stern look on Wendy’s face, she bit her tongue.

But she disagreed strongly.

This was 800 billion, not a measly 800 dollars. Sure, she wanted Wendy’s hand to heal, to make the Boyd family prosper. However, spending such an astronomical sum on a hand treatment seemed ludicrous.

Would that not be better if that money were split between their two families?

“Mom? What do we do now?” Theodore, coming to his senses, looked to Wendy for guidance.

He would have agreed without a second thought if it were a few hundred or a few million.

But 800 billion? He was much less inclined to spend that much on Wendy’s hand treatment.

If she recovered, fine. But it would be like throwing money down the drain if she did not.

Moreover, treating Wendy’s hand was supposed to benefit the Boyds, not drag them down.

Wendy hesitated, too.

This decision was a tough one.

It was then that Eliza hurried in.

As soon as she entered, she checked Wendy’s hand and cursed, “That Vivienne is a piece of work. How dare she do this to you? It’s despicable.”

She had been out handling some business for the Boyds yesterday and was not around. But she got a call from Wendy this morning detailing the situation, and without a second thought, she rushed over.

“You’re here just in time. There’s something I can’t decide on my own. I need your opinion,” Wendy said, giving Eliza a knowing look.

Eliza paused momentarily before Wendy added, “The Specter Healer claims he can fix my hand and my back, but his price is exorbitant—800 billion. I don’t know if I should go through with it.”

Eliza was stunned.

So much money for a treatment?

Of course, they could not agree!

But feeling Wendy’s expectant gaze, she wavered.

Wendy clearly wanted to get better, but the first and secondary branches of the family were sure to disagree. Her mother was too proud to plead. So, Wendy turned to her to voice the difficult choice.

But Eliza did not want to agree either!

said, “Do it! No matter the cost, we

in good health, Eliza’s future in the family would be secure. If Wendy’s health

better to

out of your mind?” Nancy was the first to protest, “All that money, and you just want to give it

opposition. “I’m all for treating Mom,

one, Wendy’s

remained silent, the rest quarreled, their faces red

cold, said, “Let’s discuss

led the

later, somehow, Eliza had persuaded everyone. They all

Three days later.

yacht party went

family reunions, but also

involving Gillian, the turnout

City’s most lucrative projects. Not to mention, they were

not want a piece of that

was abuzz with guests, all smiles and discreetly sizing up

use this event to showcase

still loyally vying for her attention, even proposing

her status, she would

former glory tonight, she could

redeem herself,

old friends, who, keen on maintaining ties with the Ashfords, lavished praise on Gillian’s

all

Percival arrived with

flashed with envy as she spotted

a low voice, “Remember what I told

You want me to apologize to Vivienne, right? I’ll go right now.” Gillian bit her lip, her eyes

reluctant or not, she had to make that apology

and there would undoubtedly be opportunities in the

picked up her glass, and approached

greeted them with a faint smile. “Long

it was an Ashford event, Percival and Vivienne

you want?” Vivienne

indiscretions. From now on, I truly view Mr. Ellington as nothing more than a brother and will

her face the

was the epitome of

“I don’t need a

he prepared to leave with

still angry with me?” Gillian raised her voice slightly, drawing the attention

did not respond now, it would be a slap in the face to the Ashford family in front