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!

finally said, “Do it! No matter the cost, we should do

future in the family would be secure. If Wendy’s

to

Nancy was the first to protest, “All that money, and you just want

also voiced her opposition. “I’m all for treating Mom,

one by one, Wendy’s grandchildren

silent, the rest quarreled, their faces red with

discuss this outside.

the way to

later, somehow, Eliza had persuaded everyone.

Three days later.

yacht party went

was tradition, ostensibly for family reunions, but also for networking and consolidating

scandal involving Gillian, the

Ashfords controlled Sea City’s most lucrative projects. Not to mention, they were a powerhouse in the

not want a piece of that

yacht was abuzz with guests, all smiles and discreetly

planned to use this event to showcase her talents and overshadow her past negative

many men were still loyally vying for her

that as long as she maintained her status, she would never sink into the

could regain her former glory tonight, she could gloat in front of Vivienne

was determined to redeem herself, marry

among old friends, who, keen on maintaining ties with the

all an unspoken

rounds, Percival arrived with

envy as she spotted them

in a low voice, “Remember what I told you?

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

reluctant or not, she had to make

long game, and there would undoubtedly be opportunities

breath, picked up her

Ms. Hawthorn,” Gillian greeted them with a faint smile.

it was an Ashford event, Percival and Vivienne

you

to you and Mr. Ellington. I was foolish before. Please forgive my past indiscretions. From now on, I truly view Mr. Ellington as nothing

slightly, her face the picture

was the

“I don’t need a

prepared to leave with

are you still angry with me?” Gillian raised

be a slap in the face to the