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.

clueless about the announcement Vivienne was

the family’s all here. Whatever you need

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

help but chuckle at her expression,

all quite busy, and

Vivienne’s relationship had never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained

trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since

down on them as if she considered herself better

her gaze to Baron, her stare

wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel

sweat breaking out despite

pushed down the fear in his voice, “That’s just a

“Can you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say, why can’t you

pulled his sister back, worried she might

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

the comments and

immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community

direct question took

knowledge of these

at Ronald, who also shook his head

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

wouldn’t know. But Baron, he knows very

the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage.

was a solid

who remained as still

on a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and

Leopold was puzzled.

could

recall having anything of the

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it into the

stop him