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.

simply shrugged; he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make.

all here. Whatever you need to say,

room, finally fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr.

chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek. “Indeed,

up to? We’re all quite busy, and

warm, but certainly not as strained as it

allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her grandmother, Ashley

look down on them as if she considered herself

her gaze to Baron, her stare

she lifted a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel

straightened up instantly, cold sweat

his voice, “That’s just a

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

back,

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

and simply looked at

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling

South Ridge Community villa 5, East

direct question took Timothy

knowledge of

who also shook his head in

the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other

course, you wouldn’t know. But

had dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. “Vivienne, there’s a

was a solid wall; how

except for Baron, who remained

plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

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

Leopold was puzzled.

could that

not recall having anything

when he reached into his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and tossed

could not stop him in