The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Wendy’s withered hand was trampled beneath the feet of her sons and daughters-in-law, kicked around as though it were a soccer ball.

Wendy was yanked from her wheelchair to the floor by Nancy, like a dying, desiccated old dog, repeatedly jabbed by the pointed heel of Nancy’s stiletto.

Vivienne said nothing.

Percival said nothing.

Such dutiful descendants Wendy had indeed!

“You useless old hag, I’ve tolerated you for far too long. Our side of the family has done the most; in the end, we’re left with nothing. Your blatant favoritism for your daughter could make a saint rage, and now you still expect to charm us with a mere sliver of shares? Ptooey!”

Eliza was no better off. Teresa had always been the most envious of the Ashford family’s assets, and now that they were all in Eliza’s hands, her resentment was even more palpable.

Thinking of the energy and the sacrifices her son had made for such meager gains only stoked Teresa’s fury, making her blows all the more vicious.

“You little vixen, I knew you were never as kindhearted as you pretended, flaunting your shares as bait. You really overestimate yourself. If you don’t cough up the Ashford family’s funds today, I’ll beat you to a pulp!”

Once greed infects the human heart, it ceases to be human at all.

Vivienne had seen her fair share of families torn apart by petty squabbles over inheritance; the Brooks and the Ellingtons had succumbed to similar fates.

For the sake of money, they would abandon principles and kinship without a second thought.

The Boyds were no different, willing to tear each other apart over a fortune, treating their elderly mother’s hand as if it were nothing more than trash to be kicked around.

Sharp stilettos and ring-adorned fists became weapons in the battle for wealth.

Even without this fortune, such a family was destined to become a casualty of greed before long.

Percival draped his coat over Vivienne’s shoulders and embraced her, steering her away from the Boyd Mansion.

Boyd family’s reckoning was still

Vivienne received a

been bailed

“Wendy still has

of

still reliant on the Ashfords to expand their business. With Patrick in such hot water, the Boyds would be lucky to save their own skins,

What a joke.

subtly, her approval apparent. “The people my mother

…

the Ashford Mansion, Patrick, freshly dressed and invigorated with some medicine, finally

you’re finally back. I

for a bit and

my dad’s the best,” Gillian said, leading him to the couch. “Dad, I did everything you told

Gillian often played the airhead, yearning to be the darling of Sea City’s elite bachelors, she was far from foolish. How else could she have wrapped so

her were nothing but leftovers from

to her that the contract was Eliza’s attempt to

capture the prey without hunting,

made his instructions clear before the yacht gala: if the Ashfords were in trouble and the Boyds came sniffing around for an advantage, let them have it. Gillian was to simply

approached, Gillian feigned panic and, under Eliza’s guidance, signed

gnaw on a bone. But they should check if they’ve got the teeth for it. Gillian, once I

Patrick’s shoulder. “I knew you’d always look out for me, Dad. I’ll listen to you from now

have only one daughter, and I won’t let you suffer. But remember, never act

gaze grew more profound, his murky eyes harboring a strange

her fantasies, Gillian missed her father’s subtle

he quickly called a press

competitors tried to frame the Ashford Group and me in hopes of seizing our assets during the

engage in any unlawful activities. We are committed to being law-abiding citizens. Thank you,

live streams and media coverage, effectively severing his association with the

from the stage and went to the lounge at