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.

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

here.

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

but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching

all quite busy, and frankly,

overly warm, but certainly

return, she had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her grandmother, Ashley found her increasingly

Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if she

turned her gaze to Baron, her stare

wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

voice, “That’s just a liquor cabinet. How could

you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say, why can’t you just say

back, worried she might provoke

trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s

and simply

understood immediately and approached the cabinet,

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

question took

had no knowledge

at Ronald, who also

mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if

wouldn’t know. But Baron, he

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

were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall;

who remained as still as a

plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You have something quite interesting

Leopold was puzzled.

What could

recall having

reached into his pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

weighed the grenade in his hand and tossed it into the

stop