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.

clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After

all here. Whatever

shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not

her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

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

been overly warm, but certainly not

peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her grandmother, Ashley found her

to look down on them as if she considered

her gaze to Baron, her

a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron,

cold sweat breaking

just a liquor cabinet. How

the theatrics?

sister back, worried

to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor cabinet can’t

and simply looked at

immediately and approached the

“Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3… Timothy, do any of these

direct question took Timothy

had no knowledge of

also shook

Timothy replied, “The Brooks family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we

course, you wouldn’t know. But Baron,

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

cabinet was

Baron, who remained as still as

on a dismantled plank, Leopold said,

into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and

Leopold was puzzled.

could

having anything

his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand

stop him in