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

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

finally fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not everyone’s

help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her

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

and Vivienne’s relationship had never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it was with

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

Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as

her gaze to Baron, her stare

pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron,

instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite his

down the fear in his voice, “That’s just a

you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say,

quickly pulled his sister back, worried she

upset,” Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor cabinet can’t be

the comments and simply looked

approached the cabinet,

South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3… Timothy, do any of these addresses ring

direct question took Timothy

knowledge of these

at Ronald, who also shook his head

the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other properties,

know. But

spoke, revealing a hidden passage.

stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how

who

dismantled plank,

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

Leopold was puzzled.

What could

did not recall having anything of

into his pocket, he found a brand-new

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and tossed it into

not stop him