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 should do

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

to help Wendy

“All that money, and you just want to give it away? Do you think money grows on trees?

all for treating Mom, but that’s just too much

one by one, Wendy’s grandchildren

silent, the rest quarreled, their faces red with

“Let’s discuss this outside. Don’t disturb

the way to the living

Eliza had persuaded everyone.

Three days later.

family’s annual yacht party

reunions, but also for networking and consolidating the family’s influence and

scandal involving Gillian, the turnout was

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

a piece

all smiles and discreetly

use this event to showcase her

men were still

knew that as long as she maintained her

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

was determined to redeem herself, marry into wealth, and

mingled with Gillian among old friends, who, keen on maintaining ties with the Ashfords,

was all

making the rounds, Percival

eyes flashed with envy as she spotted them holding

voice, “Remember what I told you? No more scheming after Percival—at

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

she had

and there

deep breath, picked up her glass,

greeted them with a faint

it was an Ashford event, Percival and Vivienne would surely not snub

do you want?”

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

bowed her head slightly, her face the

onlookers, it was the

his eyes. “I don’t need

that, he prepared to

Gillian raised her voice slightly, drawing the attention of those

he did not respond now, it would be a