The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Everyone looked up as Vivienne walked in, her pace slow and measured. Clad in a plain tee and jeans, the simplicity of her attire was offset by the icy expression that seemed permanently etched onto her delicate features.

Kala watched her, emotions churning within her.

After a moment, she spoke up, “No need. I’ll handle it myself.”

She was at a loss for how to treat Vivienne now.

After all, it was not Vivienne who had affected her work, but there was an undeniable discomfort whenever she saw Vivienne.

Did she blame Vivienne?

No.

After all, her grandmother had genuinely committed murder, and not just once, but tenfold.

For twenty years, the families of the victims had been deprived of the truth.

Her grandmother’s fate was deserved.

She just could not face Vivienne.

It seemed ever since Vivienne’s return, everyone she was close to had changed.

Vivienne approached her, her face serious. “Judith’s death was a consequence of her actions. If she hadn’t resisted arrest, she wouldn’t have been shot in front of you. And the media exposure you faced wasn’t my doing. I covered your penalty fees as a gesture of goodwill. You were the only one who treated me with genuine kindness after I joined the Brooks family.”

When the Brooks first took her in, everyone had been considerate, but there was always an ulterior motive.

Only Kala had been genuinely kind to her.

That was just how Vivienne was unable to ignore those who were sincerely kind to her.

incident was somewhat related to her, she was

would never blame herself for what had

at Vivienne, unsure of

since Vivienne had come back, she had been a woman of few words, never using two where one would suffice. But today, she

to Baron and stated flatly, “Baron, I’m here to pack up. I won’t be

you think you can just bail when the going gets tough? I’m not dead

I have been investigating it in the shadows for years. If we had discovered the truth sooner, perhaps the Brooks family wouldn’t have

raised an eyebrow,

put, and don’t worry about anything else,” Baron said with finality. “We’re discussing the future of the Brooks family. You

smirked, “I don’t mind where I stay as long

her. “Do you think I raised

glanced over at

his peers wore embarrassed expressions. It was not that they blamed Vivienne; it was just hard to accept

was coming to terms

her

Vivienne and Percival had done merely

on Scott, who remained silent with

did not say more and took the seat

the penalty fee, it’s up to you whether you want

Vivienne had come into so much money. After all, Karen’s daughter could not be doing too badly, especially with that black card filled with funds, and with the backing of the Ellington family, a penalty fee was

Kala nodded. “Alright.”

“Since Judith was one of our own and made a mistake, we can’t shirk responsibility. I’ll issue an apology and provide compensation for the victims’ families. On top of that, we need to push forward new projects. We’re venturing into robotics, and Griffin will join our team. Everyone needs to play

be the one to turn things

who often seemed under the thumb of Richard and was

orchestrating a comeback with new projects and had even managed to

Were the Rivenwood families not reluctant to deal with

tired and need to rest,” Baron said, heading

others busied