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,

all here. Whatever you need to

her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It

but chuckle at her expression, playfully

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

but certainly

Vivienne’s return, she had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her grandmother, Ashley found her increasingly

how Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if

her gaze to Baron, her

towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite his

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

the theatrics? If there’s something to say, why can’t you

his sister back, worried she might provoke Vivienne

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

comments and

and approached the

intervene, but Percival spoke up, his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa

direct question took

no knowledge of

glanced at Ronald, who also shook his

“The Brooks family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other

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

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

Behind the cabinet was a

except for Baron, who remained as

plank, Leopold

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

Leopold was puzzled.

could that

did not recall having anything

his pocket, he found a brand-new tear gas

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

weighed the grenade in his hand and tossed it

not stop him in