The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Evening had settled when Eliza stepped into Wendy's room.

“Mom, why are you still up at this hour?” Eliza perched herself beside Wendy, the picture of a dutiful daughter.

Wendy cherished Eliza deeply, having protected her like the apple of her eye since she was a child.

Now, in her current state, she trusted no one more than Eliza.

“Eliza, within this condition, | would not put it past my daughters-in-law to have all sorts of ideas. We can’t let them get the better of us, darling. Your brothers are no use either, only seeing dollar signs.” Eliza nestled close to Wendy, chuckling softly. “Don’t worry, Mom. The Boyds won't be played by my sisters-in- law. Our family’s assets won't fall into the wrong hands, not on my watch.” Wendy nodded in assurance. “I knew | could count on you to ease my worries. Eliza, I've taken note of your ambitions all those years and prepared for it. This visit from Percival, it's so you can get acquainted with the Ellingtons, you understand?” Relief washed over Eliza with those words.

As long as she could see Nathan Ellington again, she would do anything.

“Yeah, | know you've always got my back, Mom.” Eliza leaned on Wendy's shoulder, briefly catching sight of her amputated hand and quickly averting her gaze with a hint of distaste.

Wendy's hand was already skeletal, a ghastly sight, and with the stump so starkly exposed, it was downright macabre.

“Mom, what are your plans regarding the Specter Healer?” Eliza inquired.

Wendy scoffed. “He's just after money, isn’t he? | have plenty, though it might be a bit tricky to cup with 800 billion dollars at once. But, opportunities are not i Eliza looked at Wendy skeptically.

Plenty of money? What a joke.

As the CFO of Boyd Group, she was all too aware of how much the Boyd family had.

Not to mention 800 billion, even 800 million would require careful consideration.

Where was her mother getting this confidence from? Noticing Eliza's doubt, Wendy smiled. “Have you forgotten our ace in the hole?” “Ace in the hole?” Eliza's brow furrowed.

Wendy grabbed the remote and switched on the news channel where Patrick’s arrest was being broadcast.

Details were scarce, only mentioning Patrick’s apprehension. The screen also showed Gillian besieged by reporters.

It dawned on Eliza in an instant.

Wendy was plotting to seize control of the Ashford family’s fortune, turning their empire into her personal treasury.

Indeed, 800 billion was more than feasible with the Ashford family’s resources.

“Mom, how can you be so sure Patrick will turn to us for help?” Eliza asked.

Wendy looked smug. “The Ashford family is a hot potato right now. Who would dare get involved? And with Gillian’s reputation in ruins, who would want her? But, just one call from you, inviting her to turn to the Boyds, bringing all Ashford business under our roof, and the money will follow.” Wendy was exploiting the crisis.

With Patrick in trouble, Gillian, as the sole Ashford heiress, would be desperate for connections to free her father.

But no one was a fool. With the gravity of Patrick’s offenses unclear, who would lend a hand? Should the Boyds be the only ones to extend help, Gillian would agree to any terms, however reluctant.

Thus securing the Ashford business and unveiling the Boyd family’s clandestine commercial network.

“Alright, I'll make the call right away.” Eliza smiled.

If they could snatch all the Ashford business, it would be about more than just 800 billion dollars.

This operation had to be kept secret from the other Boyds, or they would certainly want a piece of the action.

Eliza had to keep everything under her control to negotiate with the Ellingtons from a position of strength and to get closer to Nathan.

Becoming the Ellington family’s next daughter-in-law was within reach.

“Cecilia, you just wait to be cast aside,” She cursed inwardly.

Meanwhile, the Ashford Mansion was in chaos. Gillian had barely processed Patrick's arrest when she was bombarded with calls from creditors.

To sustain such a large company and its numerous projects, Patrick had inevitably borrowed heavily from banks.

Now, with his arrest, the banks were aggressively seeking repayment.

Terrified, Gillian tossed her phone aside, clueless on how to proceed.

The friends who once flocked around her had vanished into thin air, leaving her utterly alone.

Then, the doorbell rang. Surprisingly, it was Eliza.

Gillian eyed her warily. “What are you doing here?” Eliza smiled warmly. “Gillian, | cto see how you're holding up. Your dad and | go way back, and I've watched you grow up. | could not just sit by while your family faces such troubles.” It was the most comforting thing Gillian had heard in a while, and tears sprung to her eyes.

“Auntie,” Gillian rushed forward and embraced Eliza, sobbing.

She had been close to Mara and had grown up calling Eliza ‘auntie’ too.

Eliza offered a half-hearted smile and pulled Gillian to sit beside her. “Gillian, given the circumstances, there's only one thing | can think of to help you, but | need your consent.” “Auntie, just tellwhat to do. I'll follow your lead,” Gillian said, entirely out of her depth with business affairs.

Having someone willing to help was the best thing she could hope for.

Eliza, with a reassuring smile, presented a document. “It’s quite simple. You're now the sole heir to the Ashford Group. After your father’s incident, you'll take over as CEO. All you have to do is sign the Ashford Group's over to the Boyd Group. That'll help you tackle sof the debt with the banks. Once we stabilize the company, we can focus on getting your father out.” Gillian was lost in the fog. “Auntie, | don’t really understand these company matters...” “I know you don’t, dear. Just sign here and leave the rest to me. The Ashford will still be the same, just under the umbrella of Boyd Group. We won't let you down. This is about easing the bank's pressure, right?” Eliza was persuasive, every word seemingly in Gillian’s best interest. She talked of how marrying Percival would make them family, how the Ashford and Boyd families would eventually unite, and how they could count on support from the Ellington Group in the future.

Before she knew it, Gillian felt she was already wed to Percival.

Without further hesitation, she signed her non the contract.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Meanwhile, at the Frostfire Intelligence Agency’s account, 800 billion dollars was received.

Seeing the string of zeros after the eight, Vivienne excitedly slapped Percival on the shoulder. “Mr. Wolf, I'm treating you to Wagyu beef tonight! My treat!” Percival closed his tablet and glanced at Vivienne’s phone.

“800 billion, and all | get is a Wagyu beef?” What do you do when your wife is a penny-pincher? Vivienne protectively held her phone, wary. “Yes, just that. Take it or leave it!” “I'll take it!” Percival said without hesitation.

He was not about to waste Vivienne’s rare gesture of generosity.

At the Boyd Mansion, Eliza had everything arranged, and people were waiting.

Hayden pondered momentarily before asking, “Eliza, are you sure the Specter Healer agreed to treat Mom for free?” Eliza nodded affirmatively. “I gave him my shares, so of course, he agreed to the free treatment.”