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 was just the

family’s all here. Whatever

clear eyes shimmering with feigned

help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek. “Indeed,

up to? We’re all quite busy, and frankly,

but certainly not as strained as it was

return, she had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her grandmother, Ashley found her increasingly

seemed to look down on them as

her gaze to Baron,

the wardrobe behind Baron, “Why do I feel

straightened up instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite

the fear in his voice, “That’s just

Vivienne was being ridiculous. “Can you stop with the theatrics? If

his sister back,

trying to defuse the tension,

and simply

understood immediately and approached

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

question took Timothy

knowledge

at Ronald, who also

mostly resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if

know. But Baron, he knows

spoke, revealing a hidden passage.

Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how could

Baron, who remained as still

a dismantled plank, Leopold

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

Leopold was puzzled.

could

having anything of the

reached into his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand

not stop him in