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

finally said, "Do it!

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

better to help

you out of your mind?" Nancy was the first to protest, "All that money, and you just want to give it away? Do you think money grows

one by one, Wendy's grandchildren joined in the

silent, the rest quarreled, their faces red

said, "Let's discuss this

led the way to the

hour later, somehow, Eliza had persuaded everyone.

Three days later.

annual yacht party

tradition, ostensibly for family reunions, but also for networking and

recent scandal involving Gillian, the

projects. Not to mention, they were a powerhouse in the whole region of Veridia. Who would not want a piece of

discreetly sizing up Gillian as she stayed

use this event to showcase her talents and overshadow her past negative

worked; many men were still loyally vying for

knew that as long as she maintained her status, she would never sink

regain her former glory tonight, she could gloat in front of Vivienne and

herself, marry into wealth, and destroy

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

all an unspoken

the rounds, Percival arrived

with envy as she spotted

in a low voice, "Remember what I told

me to apologize to Vivienne, right? I'll go right now." Gillian bit her lip,

not, she had to

game, and there would undoubtedly be opportunities in the future. Gillian took a deep

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

to you and Mr. Ellington. I was foolish before. Please forgive my past indiscretions. From now on, I truly view Mr. Ellington as nothing