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

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

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 everyone’s present,

not help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

We’re all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t have time

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

Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if she

gaze to Baron, her stare

the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I

up instantly, cold sweat breaking

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

you stop with the theatrics? If

his sister back, worried she might

upset,” Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just

and simply looked

and approached

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

direct question took Timothy

no knowledge of these

glanced at Ronald, who also shook his

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

smiled. “Of course, you wouldn’t know.

as they spoke, revealing a hidden

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

Baron, who

a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

lips curved into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

having anything of the

he reached into his pocket, he found

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

weighed the grenade in his hand and

not stop