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,

family’s all here. Whatever you need to

Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned

her expression, playfully pinching her

up to? We’re all quite busy, and

been overly warm, but certainly not as

she had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever

how Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if

turned her gaze to Baron, her stare

finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind

cold sweat

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

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

pulled his sister back, worried she

Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just

and simply looked at

and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

Ridge Community villa 5, East

direct question took

no knowledge of

at Ronald, who also

replied, “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

wouldn’t know. But

had dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. “Vivienne, there’s a secret tunnel

was a solid wall; how

for Baron, who

a dismantled plank, Leopold

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

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

having anything

into his pocket, he found a brand-new

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand and tossed it

stop him in