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

“Vivienne, the family’s all here. Whatever

eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr.

not help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

We’re all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t

had never been overly warm, but

caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets

always seemed to look down on them as if

to Baron,

towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel

cold sweat

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

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

pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke

a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just

the comments and simply

and approached the

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

question

knowledge

glanced at Ronald, who also

Mansion. Even if we own

know. But Baron, he knows very

dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage.

members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was

around except for Baron, who

dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You have something quite interesting in your

Leopold was puzzled.

could

did not recall having

into his pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

the grenade in his hand and tossed it

could not stop