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.

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

the family’s all here. Whatever you

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

but chuckle at her

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

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

coexistence. But ever since

always seemed to look down on them as if she considered herself better

to

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

straightened up instantly, cold sweat breaking

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

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

pulled his sister back,

trying to defuse the

the comments and simply looked at

and approached the

intervene, 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

question took Timothy

no knowledge of these

glanced at Ronald, who also shook his head in

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

smiled. “Of course, you wouldn’t know.

cabinet as they spoke, revealing

members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a

crowded around except for Baron, who remained as

a dismantled plank, Leopold said,

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

Leopold was puzzled.

What could

recall having anything

he reached into his pocket,

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it into the

not stop