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!

“Do it! No

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

to help Wendy

and you just want to give it away? Do

for treating Mom, but that’s just too

by one, Wendy’s grandchildren

silent,

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

the way to the

later, somehow, Eliza had persuaded everyone.

Three days later.

yacht party went ahead as

reunions, but also for networking and consolidating

involving Gillian, the turnout

lucrative projects. Not to mention,

not want a

smiles and discreetly sizing up Gillian as she

event to showcase her talents and overshadow her past

worked; many men were still loyally vying for her attention,

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

regain her former glory tonight, she could gloat in

to redeem herself, marry into wealth, and

who, keen on maintaining ties with the

was all an unspoken

rounds, Percival arrived

as she spotted them holding

a low voice, “Remember what I told you?

apologize to Vivienne, right? I’ll

reluctant or not, she had to make that

long game, and there would undoubtedly be opportunities

a deep breath, picked up her glass, and approached

them with a faint smile.

an Ashford event, Percival and Vivienne would

do you

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

head slightly, her face the picture of

was the

his eyes. “I don’t need

he prepared to leave

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

knew that if he did not respond now, it would be a slap in the face to