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 to make. After all, he was just the

here. Whatever you need to say,

her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at

chuckle at her expression, playfully

are you up to? We’re all quite busy, and

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

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

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

to Baron, her stare

the wardrobe behind

instantly, cold sweat

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

“Can you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something

back, worried she

to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the

the comments and simply

immediately and approached

36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East

question took

no knowledge of these

who also shook

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

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

had dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing

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

for Baron, who

a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

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

Leopold was puzzled.

could

having

reached into his pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and tossed it into the

could not stop