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.

but the first and secondary branches of the family were sure to disagree. Her mother was too proud to plead. So, Wendy turned

finally said, "Do it! No matter the cost, we should do the

be secure.

better to help Wendy

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

one by one, Wendy's grandchildren

silent, the rest quarreled, their faces

face cold, said, "Let's discuss

led the way

somehow, Eliza had persuaded

Three days later.

Ashford family's annual yacht party went

reunions, but also

the recent scandal involving Gillian, the turnout

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

abuzz with guests, all smiles and discreetly sizing up

to showcase her talents and

had worked; many men were still loyally vying for her attention, even proposing fair

that as long as she maintained her status, she would

former glory tonight, she could gloat in front

was determined to redeem herself, marry into

on maintaining ties with the Ashfords, lavished praise on Gillian's supposed

all an unspoken

Percival arrived

with envy as she spotted them holding

low voice, "Remember what I told you? No more scheming after Percival-at least not

for days. You want me to apologize to Vivienne, right? I'll

or not, she had to make

future. Gillian took a deep breath, picked up her glass, and approached Percival

a faint smile. "Long time no see." Given that it was an Ashford event, Percival and Vivienne would surely not snub her. "What do

to you and Mr. Ellington. I was foolish before. Please forgive my past indiscretions. From now on, I truly view Mr. Ellington as nothing more than a brother and will harbor