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.

clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make.

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

feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf,

not help but chuckle at her expression,

frowned. “Vivienne, what are you up to? We’re all quite busy, and

warm, but certainly not

coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her

look down on them as if she considered herself

gaze to Baron,

pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why

sweat breaking out

just a liquor cabinet.

the theatrics? If there’s something

back, worried she might provoke Vivienne

the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor cabinet can’t be

the comments and simply looked at

immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

spoke up, his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3… Timothy, do any of these addresses ring

direct question took

no knowledge of these

also

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

wouldn’t know.

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

stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how could there be

Baron, who

plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

smile as she fixed her gaze on

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

not recall having anything of the

into his pocket,

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and tossed

could not stop him in