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 clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make.

deeply. “Vivienne, the family’s all here. Whatever you need to

fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not everyone’s

help but chuckle at her expression, playfully

busy, and frankly, we don’t have time to

had never been overly warm, but certainly not

coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her

hated how Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if she

her gaze to

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

instantly, cold sweat breaking out

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

thought Vivienne was being ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say, why can’t you just say

back, worried she might provoke Vivienne

don’t get upset,” Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor cabinet can’t be

comments and simply looked

and approached the cabinet, dismantling

Percival spoke up, his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3…

question took

knowledge of these

also shook

a moment, Timothy replied, “The Brooks family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other properties, they’re usually nearby. The houses you mentioned are unfamiliar to

course, you wouldn’t know. But Baron, he knows very

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

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

for Baron, who remained

on a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

lips curved into 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

into his pocket, he found a brand-new

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

weighed the grenade in his hand and tossed it

stop him