The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Watching the two families on the brink of another spat, Wendy tapped impatiently on the floor with her cane.

“Marrying you two into the Boyd family has been headache enough. There's no way Gillian is setting foot in our house. You can forget that fantasy right now!” Nancy's anger subsided a bit at her mother-in-law’s words. As long as Mara and Gillian remained tight as thieves, she felt secure that the Ashford fortune would not slip through their fingers.

Teresa, momentarily distracted from her quarrel with Nancy, chimed in anxiously, “Mom, aren’t you worried about the Ellingtons sticking their nose in our business?” “The Ellingtons don’t have the guts,” Wendy snapped, giving Teresa a sharp look. “Eliza and Patrick have already cto an understanding. No need for you to fret.” With a dismissive wave, Wendy signaled for them to retire to their rooms.

Seeing this, the members of the first and secondary branches of the family had no choice but to leave the room.

It was then that the butler rushed in, his face flushed with panic. “Vivienne and Percival have arrived!” Wendy raised an eyebrow, her expression darkening. “So they're here. Why the fuss? It's not like they can eat you.” The butler stammered, clearly terrified, “Wolves, wolves!” “What wolves? You idiot. What's the point of keeping you if you can’t even form a proper sentence?” Wendy's expression turned gloomier.

“They've brought a pack of wolves! They let them loose in the courtyard, and they're tearing up your prized rose garden and... and Mr. Theodore’s pet beagle... it's been eaten, and now...” He paused, glancing fearfully at Wendy before continuing with a trembling voice, “Sof them have even jumped through your bedroom window. The servants are hiding everywhere, too scared to cout.” The Boyd household's servants were usually bustling about from dawn, not idling in the main hall.

When Vivienne and Percival entered with their pack of wolves, the terror they incited was palpable. One servant had even fainted from fear.

“Wolves? Here?” Wendy gasped in disbelief. “Where did they cfrom?” “I don’t know, Madam!” The butler was near tears, his legs shaking. “What should we do? The doors to the great hall are shut tight; the wolves can’t get in there for the moment. But they've already made it to the second floor.

Any minute now...” Before he could finish, a blood-curdling scream erupted from upstairs, followed by a chorus of shrieks.

Panic-stricken, members of the Boyd family thundered down the stairs. Teresa clutched her daughter Margot close as she ran to Wendy's side, her voice shaking. “Mom, what is happening? Why are there wolves running amok in the house?” Nancy held Mara tightly, her voice laced with panic. “I was in the bathroom when one crashed through the window. | nearly passed out from fear. Mom, we have to do something! They could kill someone!” The younger generation, Mara and Margot, usually at odds, were now huddled together in terror.

Wendy's heart raced with fear as she ordered the butler to call the police. But before he could act, several wolves bounded down the stairs, heading straight for her.

“Ah!” Wendy cried out, pinned to the ground by the wolves. Trapped in her wheelchair, she swung her cane desperately, but the more she fought, the more vicious they became, shredding her clothes with their claws.

In moments, her garments were torn to ribbons, leaving her exposed.

The onlookers were stunned and silent, having never anticipated this development. The wolves were not biting— they were stripping Wendy's clothes? Confusion reigned, but the immediate concern was for Wendy. Her sons and grandsons, red with anger and embarrassment, were helpless to intervene as they witnessed Wendy get stripped naked.

Who would dare wrestle with a wolf? Meanwhile, the butler turned his back, unable to witness Wendy's distress.

Just then, more wolves descended, sending the family into a frenzy of hide and seek. But they were quickly subdued, their clothes ripped away by the ravenous animals.

Before long, every member of the Boyd family, from Wendy down to her youngest grandchildren, was stripped bare.

The butler stood trembling, unable to leave, as the servants had scattered in fear. The great hall was empty save for him, and he was too scared to help.

Wolves encircled the Boyds, drooling as if they were the main course at a feast, and the family was paralyzed with fear, huddled together in their nakedness.

Wendy's granddaughters and daughters-in-law sobbed and screamed for help, “Someone save us!” “I don’t want to die! Grandma, save me!” Wendy, though accustomed to crises, had never faced anything like this. As her children and grandchildren clung to her, shaking her violently, she fainted on the spot.

Theodore and Hayden fared slightly better but were still far from composed. They stood rigid, staring at the hungry wolves, their bodies tense with the instinct to survive.

Just when the Boyd family was on the brink of collapse, the front door swung open.

Percival and Vivienne stepped in.

The sight that greeted them made Percival’s typically composed face twist with disgust. Without a moment's hesitation, he grabbed Vivienne, spun her around, and walked right back out, his hand swiftly covering her eyes.

Vivienne was becoming more rebellious by the day.

On their way over, she had told him not to worry, that she would handle everything. He trusted Vivienne and nodded in agreement, not expecting to walk into such a mess.

He would have never consented if he had known that Vivienne intended to settle debts in this manner.

He had plenty of ways to deal with the Boyds without letting Vivienne tarnish her eyes.

Vivienne was still underage, yet she was supposed to witness the Boyds’ unsightly mess? The Boyd family was done for!Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

“Mr. Wolf!” Vivienne protested, a touch of annoyance in her tone. “I haven't even started yet!” Percival flicked her forehead gently, “No need for you to get involved. I'll have someone take care of it.” Vivienne would not spoil her eyes, and neither would he! Vivienne’s mouth twitched, and then she looked at Percival earnestly. “Mr. Wolf, if this debt isn’t settled, I'll be upset. And when I'm upset, the nine disciples will be, too. If they're upset, you probably won't be too cheerful either.” Percival was at a loss for words.

Vivienne continued with conviction, “For the sake of our future harmony and a loving relationship with my brothers, it’s best you keephappy, don’t you think?” Percival could only mutter, “Yes...” Vivienne smiled, hooking her arm around Percival’s neck like they were the best of chums. “We can’t both spoil our eyes, so you wait out here for me, okay?” “Not a chance!” Percival retorted, wrapping his arms around Vivienne’s waist. “If we're going to look, we'll look together. I'll just pretend it’s a pile of... manure!” Vivienne exhaled in exasperation. “Could we please avoid such nauseating talk under the bright light of day?”