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.

the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After all, he was just the

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

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

at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

up to? We’re all quite busy, and frankly, we

been overly warm, but certainly not as

she had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired

always seemed to look down on them as

gaze to Baron, her

she lifted a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel like there’s

sweat breaking out despite his

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

was being ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics? If

back, worried she might provoke

upset,” Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s

ignored the comments and simply

and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County

question took

knowledge of these

also

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

smiled. “Of course, you wouldn’t know.

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

Brooks family members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how could

for Baron, who remained as still as a

dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

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

Leopold was puzzled.

could

recall having anything of the

reached into his pocket, he found a brand-new tear

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand and tossed it into

stop him