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

the family’s all here.

room, finally fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not

not help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her

“Vivienne, what are you up to? We’re all quite busy,

warm, but certainly not as

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

Vivienne always seemed to look down on them

turned her gaze to Baron, her stare

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

instantly, cold sweat breaking out

“That’s just a liquor cabinet. How could

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

his sister back, worried she

trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s

comments and simply

and approached

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

question took

no knowledge of these

glanced at Ronald, who also shook his

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

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

revealing a hidden passage.

Behind the cabinet was

who remained as

on a dismantled plank, Leopold

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

Leopold was puzzled.

could that

recall having

his pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it into

stop him in