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.

he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After all, he

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

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

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

what are you up to? We’re all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t have time to watch you

but certainly not as strained as it

Vivienne’s return, she had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne

to look down on them

gaze to Baron, her

finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron,

sweat breaking out despite his

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

stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say, why can’t

back, worried she might provoke Vivienne

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

comments and simply looked at

immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17,

question

had no knowledge of these

also

resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other

course, you wouldn’t know. But

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

Behind the cabinet was

except for Baron, who remained as still as

dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold,

Leopold was puzzled.

could that

recall having anything

his pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand and tossed it into

stop him in