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 about to make. After

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

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

chuckle at her expression, playfully

are you up to? We’re all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t

but certainly not as

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

seemed to look down on them as if she

turned her gaze to

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

instantly, cold sweat breaking

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

stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say, why can’t you just say

quickly pulled his sister back, worried

to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just

the comments and simply

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

attempted to intervene, but Percival spoke up, his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community

question took Timothy

had no knowledge

at Ronald, who also shook his

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

“Of course, you wouldn’t know. But

revealing a

stunned. Behind the cabinet was a

Baron, who remained as still as a

dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

curved into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

not recall having anything

into his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and tossed it

stop