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.

announcement Vivienne was about

family’s all here. Whatever

finally fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am

could not help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her

quite busy, and

never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it

Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since

hated how Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if

turned her gaze to Baron, her

finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

his voice, “That’s just a liquor cabinet. How could someone be

being ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say,

back, worried she

chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor

comments and simply looked

understood immediately and approached the

Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3… Timothy, do any of these addresses

direct question

knowledge of

glanced at Ronald, who also

family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other properties, they’re usually nearby. The

wouldn’t know. But Baron, he

revealing a

stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall;

for Baron, who remained as still

a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You

Leopold was puzzled.

could

having anything of the

when he reached into his pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand and tossed it

could not stop him