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.

he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about

here. Whatever you need

fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I

her expression, playfully pinching her

quite busy, and frankly, we don’t have time

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

Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since

how Vivienne always seemed to look down on

gaze to Baron, her

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

straightened up instantly, cold sweat

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

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

his sister back, worried

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

and simply looked

immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling

detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3… Timothy, do any

question took

no knowledge

also shook his head

Mansion. Even if we own other properties, they’re usually nearby. The houses you mentioned

“Of course, you wouldn’t know. But Baron, he knows

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

family members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how could there

for Baron, who remained

on a dismantled plank, Leopold

her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You have something

Leopold was puzzled.

could that

did not recall having anything of the

when he reached into his pocket, he found a brand-new tear gas

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

the grenade in his hand and tossed it into the

not stop