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.

Vivienne was about to make. After

all here. Whatever

eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not everyone’s

chuckle at her

are you up to? We’re all quite busy, and

never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it

coexistence. But ever since Vivienne

hated how Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if she considered

gaze to Baron, her stare

pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do

cold sweat

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

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

quickly pulled his sister back, worried

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

comments and simply

understood immediately and approached the cabinet,

South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign

question

no knowledge

glanced at Ronald, who also

Mansion. Even if we own other properties, they’re usually

course, you wouldn’t know. But Baron,

as they spoke, revealing a hidden

the cabinet was a

except for Baron, who remained

on a dismantled plank, Leopold

as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to

Leopold was puzzled.

could that

did not recall having anything of the

his pocket, he found a brand-new tear gas

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand

stop