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.

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

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 would surely abandon

better to help Wendy

you just want to give it away? Do you think money grows on trees? I

one by one, Wendy's grandchildren joined in the

who remained silent, the rest quarreled,

"Let's discuss this outside. Don't disturb

led the way to

hour later, somehow, Eliza had persuaded everyone. They all

Three days later.

family's annual yacht party

family reunions, but also for networking and consolidating the

the recent scandal involving Gillian,

City's most lucrative projects. Not to mention, they were a powerhouse in the

was abuzz with guests, all smiles and discreetly

showcase her talents and overshadow her past negative

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

that as long as she maintained her status, she would never sink into the

glory tonight, she could gloat in front

was determined to redeem herself, marry

Gillian among old friends, who, keen on maintaining ties with the Ashfords, lavished praise on Gillian's supposed

was all

rounds, Percival arrived

envy as

low voice, "Remember what I told

want me to apologize to Vivienne, right? I'll go right now."

had to make

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

faint smile. "Long time no see." Given that it was an Ashford event, Percival and

past indiscretions. From now on, I truly view Mr. Ellington as nothing more than a brother and