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

family’s all here. Whatever you

shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting?

help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek. “Indeed, not

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

been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it was with

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

always seemed to look down on

to Baron, her

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

sweat breaking out despite his

voice, “That’s just

“Can you stop with the theatrics?

pulled his sister back, worried

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

ignored the comments and simply looked at

and approached the cabinet,

detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa

direct question

had no knowledge of

Ronald, who also

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

course, you wouldn’t know. But Baron, he

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

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

around except for Baron, who

plank, Leopold

she fixed her gaze on

Leopold was puzzled.

What could

did not recall having anything of

pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and tossed

stop him