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, he was just

exhaled deeply. “Vivienne, the family’s all here. Whatever you need to say,

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

chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her

are you up to? We’re all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t

but certainly not as

for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired

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

turned her gaze to Baron,

towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel like there’s

straightened up instantly, cold sweat breaking

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

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

sister back, worried she might

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

ignored the comments and simply

and approached the cabinet, dismantling

“Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community

question took

had no knowledge of these

at Ronald, who also shook his

Even if we own

know. But Baron, he knows very

liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. “Vivienne,

Brooks family members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid

except for Baron, who remained as

a dismantled plank,

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

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

not recall having anything of the

his pocket,

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and

not stop