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.

announcement Vivienne was about to

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

on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I

chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her

up to? We’re all quite busy, and frankly,

Vivienne’s relationship had never been overly warm, but certainly not

caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family

down on them as if she considered herself

to Baron,

the wardrobe behind

cold sweat breaking out despite

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

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

back, worried

upset,” Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor

ignored the comments and simply looked

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling

tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County

direct question took

had no knowledge of

also shook his

Brooks family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other

know. But Baron, he

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

was a solid wall; how could

except for Baron, who remained as still as

a dismantled plank, Leopold

sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to

Leopold was puzzled.

What could

having anything

pocket,

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand and

not stop him