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.

simply shrugged; he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was

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

feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at

at her expression, playfully pinching her

We’re all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t have time to watch

never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it was

But ever

always seemed to look down on them as if she considered herself better

her gaze to Baron, her stare

wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite

in his voice, “That’s just a

with the theatrics? If there’s something

pulled his sister back, worried she might

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

comments and simply looked at

understood immediately and approached the

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

direct question

no knowledge

glanced at Ronald, who also

mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we

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

cabinet as they spoke, revealing

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

who remained as still as

plank, Leopold

she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You

Leopold was puzzled.

could that

having anything of

reached into his pocket,

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and tossed it into

stop him