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

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

finally fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf,

chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek. “Indeed,

quite busy, and frankly, we don’t have

warm, but certainly not

caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But

always seemed to look down on them as

her gaze to Baron, her stare

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

cold sweat breaking out despite

voice, “That’s just a liquor cabinet. How

you stop with the theatrics? If there’s

back, worried she might

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

and simply looked at

immediately and approached the

South Ridge Community villa 5, East County

direct question took Timothy

no knowledge of these

also

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

wouldn’t know. But Baron, he knows

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

stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid

for Baron, who remained as still as

a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

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

Leopold was puzzled.

What could

not recall having

his pocket, he found a brand-new tear

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and

stop