The Million-Dollar Heart

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.

branches of the family were sure to disagree. Her mother was too proud to plead. So, Wendy turned to her to voice the difficult

long pause, Eliza finally said, "Do it! No matter the

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

was better to

your mind?" Nancy was the first to protest, "All that money, and you just want to give it away? Do you think money grows on trees? I disagree!" Teresa also voiced her opposition. "I'm all for treating Mom, but that's just too much

by one, Wendy's grandchildren joined

silent, the

said, "Let's discuss this outside. Don't disturb Mom's

led the way

Eliza had persuaded everyone.

Three days later.

Ashford family's annual yacht

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

recent scandal involving Gillian,

the Ashfords controlled Sea City's most lucrative projects. Not to mention, they were a powerhouse in the whole region of Veridia. Who would not want

and discreetly sizing up Gillian as she stayed

event to showcase her talents and overshadow

manipulations had worked; many men were still

maintained her status, she would

she could gloat in front of Vivienne and earn Percival's

herself, marry into

who, keen on maintaining ties with the Ashfords,

was all an unspoken

the rounds, Percival arrived with

with envy as she

warned in a low voice, "Remember what I told you? No more scheming after

drilling it into me for days. You want me to apologize to Vivienne, right? I'll go

she had to make that

opportunities in the future. Gillian took a deep breath, picked up her glass, and approached

that it was an Ashford event, Percival

to apologize to you and Mr. Ellington. I was foolish before. Please forgive my past indiscretions. From now on, I truly view Mr. Ellington