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.

Vivienne was about to make. After all,

here. Whatever you need

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

chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek. “Indeed,

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

relationship had never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as

caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since

Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if she considered herself better

gaze to Baron, her stare

a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why

straightened up instantly, cold sweat

“That’s just a liquor

ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics?

pulled his sister back,

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

ignored the comments and simply looked at

immediately and approached

but Percival spoke up, his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community

direct question

had no knowledge

at Ronald, who also shook his head in

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

wouldn’t know. But Baron, he knows very

dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. “Vivienne, there’s

stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how could there be

crowded around except for Baron, who remained as still as

a dismantled plank, Leopold

gaze on Baron and said to Leopold,

Leopold was puzzled.

could

did not recall having anything of the

into his pocket, he found a brand-new tear

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

the grenade in his hand and tossed it into the

stop him in