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.

clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about

all here. Whatever you need

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

chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

up to? We’re all quite busy,

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

for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some

hated how Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as

her gaze to Baron, her

finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel

straightened up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

the fear in his voice, “That’s just

with the theatrics? If there’s something

quickly pulled his sister back, worried

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

ignored the comments and

and approached the cabinet,

but Percival spoke up, his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3… Timothy, do any of these addresses ring a

question took Timothy

had no knowledge of

also shook his head

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

you wouldn’t know. But Baron, he knows

dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. “Vivienne,

cabinet was a solid wall; how could there be

for Baron, who

a dismantled plank, Leopold

her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You have something quite interesting in

Leopold was puzzled.

could

having anything

into his pocket, he found a brand-new

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

weighed the grenade in his hand and tossed it into

stop him