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.

Vivienne was about to make. After all, he

all here. Whatever you need to say,

fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It

at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek. “Indeed,

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

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

for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired

always seemed to look down on them

turned her gaze to Baron, her stare

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

instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite

pushed down the fear in his voice, “That’s just a liquor cabinet. How could someone be

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

pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke

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

and simply

and approached the cabinet,

Percival 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

question

knowledge

who also shook his head in

family mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other properties, they’re usually nearby. The houses you mentioned are unfamiliar to

know. But Baron, he knows

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

were stunned. Behind the cabinet was

who remained as still

a dismantled plank, Leopold

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

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

recall having anything of

pocket, he found a brand-new tear gas

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

the grenade in his hand and

not stop him in