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

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

her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. “Mr.

chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching

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

been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as

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

look down on

to Baron, her stare

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

instantly, cold sweat breaking

in his voice, “That’s just a liquor cabinet.

with the theatrics? If there’s

quickly pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke

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

the comments and

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

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

direct question took Timothy

no knowledge of

glanced at Ronald, who also shook

Even if we own other

you wouldn’t know.

they spoke, revealing a hidden

cabinet was a solid

who remained

dismantled plank, Leopold said, “Vivienne,

curved into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, “You have something quite interesting

Leopold was puzzled.

What could that

did not recall having

he reached into his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and

not stop