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 about

here. Whatever

feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not

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

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

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

allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her grandmother, Ashley

on

gaze to Baron, her stare

a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel like there’s someone

instantly, cold sweat

fear in his voice, “That’s just a liquor

Vivienne was being ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say, why can’t

sister back, worried she might provoke

trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor cabinet

ignored the comments and simply looked at

understood immediately and approached the

tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa

question

had no knowledge

glanced at Ronald, who also

in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other

wouldn’t know. But Baron,

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

Behind the cabinet was

except for Baron, who

plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron

Leopold was puzzled.

could that

having

when he reached into his pocket, he found a brand-new tear gas

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and tossed it into the

could not stop him