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.

simply shrugged; he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After all, he was just the

exhaled deeply. “Vivienne, the family’s all here. Whatever you need to say,

room, finally fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion.

not help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her

to? We’re all quite busy, and frankly, we don’t

had never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained

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

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

to Baron, her stare

pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do

instantly, cold sweat breaking out

voice, “That’s just

was being ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics? If there’s something to say,

quickly pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke Vivienne

Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension,

ignored the comments and simply looked

approached the cabinet,

Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3… Timothy, do any of these addresses ring

question took

knowledge of

Ronald, who also shook

Timothy 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 Baron, he

the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. “Vivienne,

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

who remained as still as a

a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne, what

lips curved into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron

Leopold was puzzled.

What could

having anything of the

reached into his pocket, he found a

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand and tossed it into the

could not stop him in