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!

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

the family would be secure. If Wendy’s health declined, her greedy

to

was the first to protest, “All that money, and you just want to give it away?

“I’m all for treating Mom, but that’s just

by one, Wendy’s grandchildren joined in

who remained silent, the rest quarreled, their faces red with

“Let’s discuss this

that, she led the way to the living

an hour later, somehow, Eliza had persuaded everyone. They

Three days later.

family’s annual yacht party

reunions, but also for networking and consolidating the

the recent scandal involving Gillian,

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

want a piece of

discreetly sizing up Gillian as she stayed close

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

were still loyally vying for her

as long as she maintained her status, she would never sink

could regain her former glory tonight, she could gloat

was determined to redeem herself, marry

maintaining ties with

all

rounds, Percival arrived with Vivienne

flashed with envy as

“Remember what I told you? No more

drilling it 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

reluctant or not, she had to

playing the long game, and there would undoubtedly be opportunities

a deep breath, picked up her glass, and approached Percival and

greeted them with a faint smile.

Percival and Vivienne would surely not snub

you want?” Vivienne

I was foolish before. Please forgive my past indiscretions. From now on, I truly view Mr. Ellington as nothing more than a brother and will harbor

her head slightly, her

onlookers, it was the epitome

“I don’t

prepared

with me?” Gillian raised her voice slightly,

respond now, it would be a slap in the face to the