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 about to

here. Whatever you need to say, go

feigned confusion. “Mr.

but chuckle at her

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

warm, but certainly

Vivienne’s return, she had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her

down on them as if she considered herself better than

to

towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I

sweat

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

the theatrics? If there’s

pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke

with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor cabinet can’t be hiding

and simply looked at

and approached the cabinet, dismantling

36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3…

direct question took Timothy

no knowledge of

who also shook his

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

you wouldn’t know. But Baron, he

revealing a hidden passage. “Vivienne, there’s a secret tunnel

were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how

except for Baron, who remained as still as

on a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

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

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

did not recall having anything of

reached into his pocket, he found a brand-new

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and tossed it into the

could not stop