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

here. Whatever you need to

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

at her expression, playfully pinching her

all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t

overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it was with

for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever

to look down on them as

to Baron,

a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel like

instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite

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

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

sister back, worried she

a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s

ignored the comments and simply looked

and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

up, his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community

direct question took Timothy

no knowledge

Ronald, who also shook

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

course, you wouldn’t know. But Baron,

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

family members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how

crowded around except for Baron, who remained

plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You have something quite

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

recall having anything

he reached into his pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it

stop