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 to make. After all, he was just the

all here. Whatever you need

feigned

not help but chuckle at her

to? We’re all quite busy, and

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

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

seemed to look down on

turned her gaze to Baron, her stare

a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel like

cold sweat breaking out despite his

the fear in his voice, “That’s just

the theatrics? If there’s something to say, why

sister back, worried she

nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just

comments and simply looked

and approached the cabinet, dismantling

to 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…

direct question took

knowledge

at Ronald, who also shook his head

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

“Of course, you wouldn’t know. But Baron, he knows very

as they spoke, revealing a

stunned. Behind the cabinet was

Baron, who remained as

a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on

Leopold was puzzled.

could that

having anything of

when he reached into his pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and tossed it into the

could not stop him in