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 all, he

the family’s all here. Whatever you need to say, go

eyes shimmering with feigned confusion.

but chuckle at her expression,

what are you up to? We’re all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t have time to watch you two

been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it

allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne

look down on

her gaze to Baron,

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

sweat breaking out despite his

voice, “That’s just a liquor cabinet. How could someone be

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

quickly pulled his sister back, worried she might

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

the comments and

immediately and approached

“Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3… Timothy, do any of these

direct question

had no knowledge

also shook

“The Brooks family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we

wouldn’t know. But Baron, he knows very

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

cabinet was a solid wall; how could there be a

Baron, who

a dismantled plank, Leopold

smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You have

Leopold was puzzled.

could that

recall having

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

weighed the grenade in his hand and tossed it into the

not stop