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

here. Whatever you need to say,

fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting?

but chuckle at her expression, playfully

to? We’re all quite busy, and frankly,

been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it was

had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But

on them as if she considered herself

her gaze to

she lifted a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

his voice, “That’s just a

was being ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to

sister back, worried she might provoke Vivienne

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

the comments and

and approached

up, his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community

question took Timothy

no knowledge of these

also shook his

Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other

you wouldn’t know. But Baron,

had dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. “Vivienne, there’s a secret

Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how could there be a

except for Baron, who remained as still as a

dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You have

Leopold was puzzled.

What could

recall having anything

his pocket,

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand

stop