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.

Vivienne was about to make. After all, he was

“Vivienne, the family’s all here.

the room, finally fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned

at her expression,

are you up to? We’re all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t have time to watch

warm, but certainly not as strained as it was

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

look down on them as if she considered herself better

turned her gaze to

towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

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

Vivienne was being ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say, why

his sister back, worried she might

get upset,” Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor

the comments and simply

and approached the cabinet, dismantling

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

direct question took Timothy

had no knowledge

who also shook his

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

smiled. “Of course, you wouldn’t know.

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

Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how could there be a

around except for Baron, who remained as still as a

dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

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

Leopold was puzzled.

What could

not recall having anything of

into his pocket,

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

the grenade in his hand and tossed it into the

stop him