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

“Vivienne, the family’s all here. Whatever

her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It

could not help but chuckle at her expression,

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

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

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

always seemed to look down on

gaze to Baron, her stare

behind Baron, “Why do I

cold sweat breaking out

the fear in his voice, “That’s just a liquor

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

sister back,

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

comments and simply

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling

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

direct question took Timothy

no knowledge of

glanced at Ronald, who also shook his

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

know. But

had dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing

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

around except for Baron, who remained as still

plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

her gaze on Baron and said

Leopold was puzzled.

could

having anything of the

when he reached into his pocket, he found

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it into the

could not stop him in