The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The unfolding drama gobsmacked the guests at the gathering.

Everyone’s mind was plastered with a big question mark.

What? What just happened?

Was not this supposed to be a family reunion feast?

Why was the guest of honor being carted off by the police?

Accused of endangering national security, no less?

The Brooks family was equally stunned, caught completely off-guard by these developments. At the center of it all, Scott’s expression turned as dark as a thundercloud.

His gaze cut through the room to land on Vivienne, and a flicker of ice shot through his eyes.

So, this was the “surprise” she had talked about?

What on earth was she playing at?

Calista, about to be dragged out of the Brooks Mansion, struggled frantically. “Let me go! You’ve got the wrong person! I’m innocent! Mom! Save me! I did not do it!”

But what could her slight frame do against the iron grip of the Vanguard Agency?

Each member of the Vanguard Agency was the cream of the crop.

Even the toughest guys from the GTO would not stand a chance once the Vanguard Agency had them in their grasp, let alone Calista.

“Calista!” Mila snapped out of her shock and rushed to intercept the Vanguard Agency members.

However, before she could get close, they pointed their guns at her. “Those who obstruct justice will be taken away, too!”

Mila froze in her tracks, startled.

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Calista was taken away just like that.

The guests exchanged uneasy glances before excusing themselves one by one.

In no time, the Brooks Mansion was left with just the Brooks family and their close associates Richard, Percival, and Leopold.

The Brooks were still reeling from the turn of events.

Who could have anticipated a family reunion turning into this?

to explode! The Brooks family would be thrust into

scanned the room and stood up. She patted Kala’s shoulder. “Let’s

Kala blinked in

Vivienne even think about food at a

her. Why would she not be in the mood to

had been taken away, and it felt

others, “Seems we won’t be dining in tonight. Let’s hit

the banquet food, and the household staff would handle the

would

and worried she might teach him a lesson for what happened years ago. But seeing her in quite

not waste a moment following

and

wary of Percival’s looming presence. Now, with Vivienne departing,

sprinted off, not

He instructed Thomas to escort Richard home while swiftly pulling Vivienne into

out, “You heartless

eyes flicked up. “Follow my

off with Vivienne, leaving the

What was going on?

two not supposed to have called

they seemed as

distance, the

was Charisma Pavilion, a high-end, exclusive members-only restaurant with sky-high prices that even the Brooks’ heirs could not afford to

food was

top-floor

“Holy smokes! This is the Supreme VIP

dull tone, “I heard this room is never open to the public, only to Supreme VIP card owners. And there are only three such cards

turned

was no wastrel of the Ellington family. He was a hidden

Percival in, only to be met by the manager of Charisma Pavilion. “Percival!

to guests; that was a job for his assistants. Yet, here

What was going on?

his chair, one hand entwined with Vivienne’s, the other resting on the table. His voice

Percival!” After the manager gave his orders,

Silence enveloped the room.

back and forth between Vivienne

intimidating aura

Percival, heart pounding,

Soon, the food arrived.

Pavilion’s signature dishes