The Million-Dollar Heart

Hayden was about to ask another question when Nancy cut him off.

“Eliza, Mom sure did not waste her affection on you. We're all in awe to think you'd give up your shares so selflessly. Don't worry, as long as there's bread on our table, there will be a seat for you," Nancy praised with a hint of insincerity, masking her eagerness for Eliza to relinquish all her shares and get Wendy the medical attention she needed.

To Nancy, it mattered little if Wendy got better or not as long as Eliza did not get her hands on the money.

The second branch had always been treated like the stepchild, overshadowed by the prestigious first branch and Eliza, the darling with Wendy's favor. At least when Cecilia was around, she diverted some attention, but since she stopped visiting, the second branch had become even more neglected.

Now, with the family matriarch indisposed, Nancy had no intention of letting Hayden dip into the funds. Those were better saved for her own children.

Eliza merely smiled, keenly aware of Nancy's thoughts. But it did not matter. With the control of the Ashford family's wealth firmly in her grasp, once the Specter Healer cured her mother, and the Boyd family shares were hers, would both branches not have to dance to her tune?

After all, her ultimate goal was to use the Boyd and Ashford resources to obtain the Ellington Group.

As the butler wheeled out Wendy, the other Boyds settled on the couches, anxiously awaiting the Specter Healer's arrival.

Two hours ticked by with no sign of him, causing Theodore to grow impatient. "Eliza, is this guy reliable or what? Did you actually transfer the shares, or did he bail?"

"No, that can't be it," Eliza frowned, feeling a stir of doubt, too. She had wired an astronomical sum and arranged everything with the Frostfire Intelligence Agency. The Specter Healer had no reason to stand them up.

"Eliza, show me the transfer papers. Don't tell me you've been conned," Teresa eyed her suspiciously.

Eliza cleared her throat. "Teresa, the Specter Healer is a man of his word. Perhaps he's just running late due to some inconvenience of his old age. Don't worry."

"I just don't want you to be..."

"Enough. You weren't this concerned when it was time to fork the money. Eliza's no fool. Everyone zip it." Wendy cut Teresa off mid-sentence.

Just then, the Boyd family's front door swung open, and the butler rushed to greet the new arrival. A collective sigh of relief filled the room - the Specter Healer had finally come.

surprise to disappointment when they

here?" Eliza asked

with Percival, holding a bag, smirked. "Didn't you

the yacht, Mara scowled at her, her bruised

not invite you here. You're bad luck. Because of you, my grandma got hurt.

grudge, lashed out too,

them either. "Percival, the Boyds have important matters today. Please leave, and we'll discuss future issues later. I'll have a word with your mother." Vivienne raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure

leave. Today is really not the best time; we have a distinguished guest. It's not good for you to

her silhouette, reluctantly letting go. "Vivienne, it seems like my grandmother doesn't need

members were taken aback

did Percival know about the Specter Healer and that he was supposed to

placed her bag on the floor and spoke seriously, "You've paid a fortune

and then Huxley

member of the family had caught

moment of silence followed, then the room erupted in

are

Healer? I suggest you get your head checked. If you're the Specter Healer, then I'm Merlin

voice... Oh

looked more like a grumpy old man! Vivienne chuckled,

as everyone stared at Vivienne with shock and

she was actually the Specter

head of the Frostfire Intelligence Agency. "Hello, I was

her name is Vivienne Hawthorn.

call was on speaker, and the faces of the Boyd family members turned ghostly

bulged out of their

that Vivienne, of all people, was the

it be

chapel, dabbling in perfume making, jewelry design, fashion, and even hacking? With all those skills, how on earth did she master the