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.

was

the family’s all here. Whatever you need to say, go

her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not

help but chuckle at her

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

been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it was with

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

down on

turned her gaze to

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

sweat breaking

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

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

his sister back, worried

trying to defuse the tension, “Ashley’s just suggesting the liquor cabinet can’t be hiding someone, that’s

and

and approached the cabinet, dismantling

but Percival spoke up, his tone detached, “Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa

direct question

knowledge

at Ronald, who also shook

resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we

you wouldn’t know.

cabinet as they spoke, revealing a

stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how

for Baron, who remained as still

on a dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

she fixed her gaze on Baron and said

Leopold was puzzled.

could

did not recall having anything of

into his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and

not stop