The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Eliza squinted her eyes and then burst into tears, spilling the beans about everything Vivienne had done in the Boyd Mansion.

From the first day she arrived, insisting the whole family disinfect and kneel to welcome her, to the gruesome act of cutting off Wendy’s hand, Eliza left no stone unturned in her vivid recount.

The crowd was in disbelief. How could Vivienne, just a young girl, be so extreme?

Eliza then produced a video as evidence. “This is from our home security system. Every single thing she did is captured here. I’m not lying!”

The video played out before their eyes, and gasps of shock were heard, especially during the chilling moment Vivienne severed Wendy’s hand.

Vivienne did not deny her actions and calmly admitted, “Yes, I did those things.”

“Vivienne, if you hadn’t done all this, how could my mother have passed away so suddenly? It’s all because of you. You better give me the Boyd family signet ring back now. It belongs to our family, and you don’t deserve to wear it!”

Eliza’s accusations, backed by the video, filled everyone with righteous indignation towards Vivienne.

Watching Eliza’s tear-stained face, Vivienne just smiled. “Why don’t we watch the rest of the video?”

Eliza was puzzled. The footage of the hand-cutting had already played.

What more could there be?

The crowd turned their attention back to the screen only to see Vivienne reattach Wendy’s hand, followed by the Boyd family members beating her on the ground. Then, the video showed Eliza smothering her mother to death with a pillow!

Eliza stumbled backward in shock.

Impossible. She had deleted that part of the video and even destroyed the hard drive.

How could it still exist?

The room fell silent.

“Eliza killed her!”

“My God, her own mother…”

Someone, call

if on cue, a police car pulled up outside the funeral home, and out

Boyd family signet ring from her

wish had finally

the Boyd family ring and caught sight of Nathan, whom she had not seen in over

went to Cecilia, and Nathan was there with the police

mother. Please, take her away,” Nathan said, sheltering Cecilia

deaf to the murmurs around her; her eyes were fixed

approach him, to ask why

was

the ground, handcuffed her,

coughed up blood and, with a jolt, burst into

me go! I’m Mrs. Ellington! That Cecilia is nothing, I’ve killed her, I

whispered, “Vivienne, did you

“No, it was her own

could secure the ring and get closer to Nathan by

or today, Nathan’s eyes had only

her family would be her

Cecilia’s hair. “It’s okay

mother’s portrait, and Eliza’s deranged screams

Cecilia’s ties to the Boyd

sent shock-waves through Sea City; it was a story that demanded discussion due

Cecilia and Nathan to her villa, not expecting

uncle, Maddox Perez. You can just call me Maddox,” he said with a familiarity that took Cecilia and Nathan

shook Maddox’s hand warmly. “Mr. Perez, I’ve

“We’re all family here, no need for formalities. Come on, Cecilia, take a seat. I’ve been briefed about the family situation. Don’t worry. I’ll handle the aftermath in Sea

with Maddox’s boisterousness, Nathan

how to interact with Maddox, leading to an awkward

stepped in to smooth things over.

can plan some fun activities for tomorrow,” Maddox said,

led Cecilia back

family not supposed to

was quite the character, unsettling