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 about to make. After all, he was just

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

finally fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned

but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek. “Indeed,

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

had never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained

trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her grandmother, Ashley found her increasingly

Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if she

gaze to Baron, her

a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron,

sweat breaking out despite his

down the fear in his voice, “That’s just a liquor cabinet. How could someone

ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics? If

his sister back,

a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension,

ignored the comments and simply

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling

36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East

question took

knowledge

also

Brooks family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if

know. But

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

Behind the cabinet was a solid

except for Baron, who remained as

on a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

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

Leopold was puzzled.

could

having anything

pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and tossed it into

stop