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

the family’s all here. Whatever you need to say,

feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at

not help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching

busy,

and Vivienne’s relationship had never been overly warm, but

Vivienne’s return, she had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But

always seemed to look down on

to

behind Baron, “Why do I feel

cold sweat

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

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

pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke

said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor cabinet

the comments and simply

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling

his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East

question took

knowledge of these

glanced at Ronald, who also shook his head in

Mansion. Even if we own

know. But Baron, he

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

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

except for Baron, who

dismantled plank, Leopold

her gaze on

Leopold was puzzled.

What could

recall having anything

his pocket, he found a brand-new

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and tossed it

stop