The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Kala felt a ripple of anxiety; she certainly did not want the Brooks family to become tabloid fodder again.

It was not about her rising career but the desire to preserve the harmonious unity of the Brooks family from fragmenting into scandal.

Vivienne’s gaze dropped slightly before she spoke softly, “There’s a bit of an issue.”

Kala’s heart clenched with worry. “Vivienne, please tell me it’s not something to do with Dad…”

Her words stumbled out of her, knotted with nerves.

No, it could not be!

Her father was the epitome of kindness, incapable of harming a soul.

Though she tried to reassure herself, Kala’s palms were drenched with sweat from her mounting tension.

“Let’s discuss it when he gets back,” Vivienne said as she sat down and pulled out her phone to call Timothy, telling him to return home.

Meanwhile, with Cheryl’s support, Baron made his way out of his room.

Kala rushed to help Baron down the stairs, her mind racing with apprehension.

She had no clue what would unfold next.

But she was certain that whatever was about to happen would once again turn the Brooks family upside down.

“Vivienne, what’s on your mind?” Baron asked, his aged eyes betraying a hint of guilt.

Vivienne smiled faintly. “Let’s wait until everyone’s here.”

Baron did not press further, but his grip on his cane tightened, his hand slick with anxious perspiration.

Soon, Timothy and Ronald returned, and alongside them walked Ashley with her brother Darren and Melissa in tow.

With the Brooks family gathered, silence fell, all eyes on Vivienne and Percival.

Darren kept glancing at Leopold, seeking clues as to what was happening.

he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was

deeply. “Vivienne, the family’s all here. Whatever you

her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like

at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek. “Indeed, not

are you up to? We’re all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t have

been overly warm, but certainly not as strained

trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever

Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if she

her gaze to

towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel like there’s someone

straightened up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

the fear in his voice, “That’s just a liquor cabinet. How

you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say, why can’t

pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke

upset,” Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the

the comments and simply looked

approached the cabinet,

but Percival spoke up, his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3… Timothy,

question took

had no knowledge of these

Ronald, who also

family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other properties, they’re usually nearby. The houses you mentioned are unfamiliar to

course, you wouldn’t know. But Baron, he

cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. “Vivienne, there’s a secret

Behind the cabinet was

Baron, who remained

dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You have something quite interesting in

Leopold was puzzled.

could

having anything

into his pocket, he found a brand-new tear

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and tossed

could not stop him in