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.

the announcement Vivienne was about to make.

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

her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion.

help but chuckle at her expression, playfully

all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t

never been overly warm, but

not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family

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

her gaze to Baron, her

lifted a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do

sweat breaking out despite

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

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

quickly pulled his sister back, worried

trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor cabinet can’t be hiding someone, that’s

and simply looked

approached the cabinet, dismantling it

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

direct question

knowledge of these

also shook his head

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

you wouldn’t know. But Baron, he knows

as they spoke, revealing a

stunned. Behind the cabinet was a

Baron, who remained as

dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

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

Leopold was puzzled.

What could

did not recall having anything

into his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it

not stop