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.

clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After all, he was

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

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

chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

busy, and

Vivienne’s relationship had never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it was with

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

look down on them as if she considered

gaze to Baron, her

wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel

sweat breaking out

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

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

pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke Vivienne

chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the

and simply looked

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling

detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17,

direct question took Timothy

knowledge of

at Ronald, who also

Timothy replied, “The Brooks family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other properties, they’re usually nearby.

wouldn’t know. But Baron,

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

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

who

a dismantled plank, Leopold said,

she fixed her gaze on

Leopold was puzzled.

could

having

he reached into his pocket, he found a brand-new

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it

not stop