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. After all, he was just the

all here. Whatever you need to say,

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

her expression,

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

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

Vivienne’s return, she had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her grandmother, Ashley found her

on them as if she considered

to Baron, her

towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel like there’s someone

straightened up instantly, cold sweat

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

was being ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics? If

quickly pulled his sister back, worried

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 hiding someone,

comments and

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County

question took

knowledge

also shook his head

Brooks family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other properties, they’re

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

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

stunned. Behind the cabinet was

crowded around except for Baron, who remained

a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

did not recall having anything of the

when he reached into his pocket, he found a brand-new tear gas

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed

not stop