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

Wendy in good health, Eliza’s future in the family would be secure. If Wendy’s health declined, her greedy in-laws would surely

better to help

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

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

one, Wendy’s

who remained silent, the rest quarreled, their faces

cold, said, “Let’s discuss this outside. Don’t disturb

she led the

somehow, Eliza had persuaded everyone. They all

Three days later.

family’s annual yacht

was tradition, ostensibly for family reunions, but also for

scandal involving Gillian, the turnout was

Not to mention, they were

want a piece of

abuzz with guests, all smiles and discreetly sizing up Gillian as she

showcase her talents and overshadow her past

men were still loyally vying for her

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

could regain her former glory tonight, she could gloat

was determined to redeem herself, marry

friends, who, keen on maintaining ties with the Ashfords, lavished praise on

was all an unspoken

making the rounds, Percival arrived with Vivienne in

envy as

“Remember what I told

for days. You want me to apologize to Vivienne, right? I’ll go right

had to

playing the long game, and there would undoubtedly be opportunities in

deep breath, picked up her glass,

Gillian greeted them with a faint smile. “Long time no

event, Percival and Vivienne would surely

you want?” Vivienne

I’ve come to apologize to you and Mr. Ellington. 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 no

bowed her head slightly, her face the

onlookers, it was the epitome

his eyes. “I don’t need a

that, he prepared to

raised her voice slightly, drawing the attention of those

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