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 make. After

the family’s all here. Whatever

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

her expression, playfully

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

warm, but certainly not as

caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever

always seemed to look down on them as

turned her gaze to Baron, her

lifted a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind

instantly, cold sweat breaking out

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

“Can you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something

quickly pulled his sister back, worried she might

defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor cabinet can’t be hiding someone,

and simply

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

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

direct question took Timothy

had no knowledge of these

Ronald, who also shook his head

resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other properties,

you wouldn’t know. But Baron, he knows

revealing a

Behind the cabinet was a solid wall;

for Baron, who

a dismantled plank, Leopold said,

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

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

recall having anything

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and tossed it into

could not stop