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 about to make. After all, he was just the

all here. Whatever you need to say,

her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion.

but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching

quite busy, and frankly, we

but certainly not as strained as it

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

on them as if

her gaze to Baron, her

wardrobe behind Baron,

straightened up instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite

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

“Can you stop with the theatrics? If there’s

back, worried

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,

the comments and simply looked

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

question took

had no knowledge of

glanced at Ronald, who also shook

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

course, you wouldn’t know. But

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

was

except for Baron, who remained

on a dismantled plank, Leopold

sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You have something quite

Leopold was puzzled.

could

did not recall having anything of

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

weighed the grenade in his hand and tossed

not stop him