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

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

feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It

not help but chuckle at her expression, playfully

We’re all quite busy,

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

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

her gaze to Baron,

behind Baron, “Why do

instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite

the fear in his voice, “That’s just a

you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say,

pulled his sister back,

chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor cabinet can’t

ignored the comments and simply looked at

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling

South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3… Timothy, do any of these addresses ring a

question took Timothy

had no knowledge

also shook his head in

Even if we own other properties, they’re usually nearby. The houses you mentioned are unfamiliar to

wouldn’t know. But Baron, he knows

cabinet as they spoke, revealing a

members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a

except for Baron, who remained as still as

dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You have something quite interesting

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

did not recall having

his pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and tossed it into the

could not stop