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.

shrugged; he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After all, he was

family’s all here. Whatever

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

help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching

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

Vivienne’s relationship had never been overly warm, but

Vivienne’s return, she had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some

down on them as if she considered herself better than

her gaze to

behind Baron,

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

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

thought Vivienne was being ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something

sister back, worried

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

comments and simply

approached the cabinet, dismantling

attempted 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

direct question

knowledge of these

at Ronald, who also shook his head

Timothy replied, “The Brooks family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other properties, they’re usually nearby. The

“Of course, you wouldn’t know.

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

Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how

except for Baron, who remained as still

plank,

on Baron

Leopold was puzzled.

could

did not recall having anything

into his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and tossed it into the

could not stop him in