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 about to make. After all,

the family’s all here. Whatever you need to say, go

shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not

at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

We’re all quite busy, and

been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as

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

look down on them as if she considered herself better than

gaze to Baron,

wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do

cold sweat breaking

just a liquor cabinet. How could someone be in

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

quickly pulled his sister back, worried she might

defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor

comments and

immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling

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

direct question took Timothy

no knowledge

at Ronald, who also shook his head

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

wouldn’t know. But Baron,

spoke, revealing a

family members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a

around except for Baron, who remained as still

on a dismantled plank, Leopold

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

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

not recall having

reached into his pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and tossed

stop