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.

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

"Do it! No matter the cost, we

Eliza's future in the family would be secure. If Wendy's

to help

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

by one, Wendy's grandchildren joined

for Theodore and Hayden, who remained silent,

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

led the way

hour later, somehow, Eliza had

Three days later.

family's annual yacht

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

the recent scandal involving Gillian,

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

abuzz with guests, all smiles and discreetly sizing up Gillian as

showcase her talents and overshadow her past negative

many men were still

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

tonight, she could gloat in front of Vivienne

redeem herself,

Gillian among old friends, who, keen on maintaining ties with

all

making the rounds, Percival arrived with Vivienne

envy as she

voice, "Remember what I told you? No more scheming after

you've been drilling it into me for days. You want me to apologize to Vivienne, right? I'll go right now." Gillian bit her lip,

or not, she had to

undoubtedly be opportunities in the 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 you want?" Vivienne

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