The Million-Dollar Heart

Everyone looked up as Vivienne walked in, her pace slow and measured. Clad in a plain tee and jeans, the simplicity of her attire was offset by the icy expression that seemed permanently etched onto her

delicate features.

Kala watched her, emotions churning within her.

After a moment, she spoke up, "No need. I'll handle it myself."

She was at a loss for how to treat Vivienne now.

After all, it was not Vivienne who had affected her work, but there was an undeniable discomfort whenever she saw Vivienne.

Did she blame Vivienne?

No.

After all, her grandmother had genuinely committed murder, and not just once, but tenfold.

For twenty years, the families of the victims had been deprived of the truth.

Her grandmother's fate was deserved.

She just could not face Vivienne.

It seemed ever since Vivienne's return, everyone she was close to had changed.

Vivienne approached her, her face serious. "Judith's death was a consequence of her actions. If she hadn't resisted arrest, she wouldn't have been shot in front of you. And the media exposure you faced wasn't my doing. I covered your penalty fees as a gesture of goodwill. You were the only one who treated me with genuine kindness after I joined the Brooks family."

When the Brooks first took her in, everyone had been considerate, but there was always an ulterior motive.

been genuinely kind to

Vivienne was unable to ignore those who were

though this incident was somewhat related to

she would never blame herself for what

at Vivienne, unsure of what

another word, Vivienne walked over to Baron and stated flatly, "Baron, I'm here to pack up. I won't be staying at the Brooks household any longer." Baron scoffed, "What, you think you can just bail when the going gets tough? I'm not dead yet. Even in hard times, I wouldn't let my granddaughter fend

weren't you and Percival, I wouldn't have spared her. This case... Richard and I have been investigating it in the shadows for years. If we had discovered the truth sooner,

an eyebrow, genuinely

put, and don't worry about anything else," Baron said with finality. "We're discussing the future of the Brooks family. You should listen in. You're nearly twenty. It's time you learned about the company." Vivienne smirked, "I don't mind where I stay as long as you all

glared at her. "Do

glanced over at Timothy and the

his peers wore embarrassed expressions. It was not that they blamed Vivienne; it was just hard to accept

now, Timothy was coming to

lady had ten lives on her conscience, and she could not escape death

had done merely brought everything to

fell on Scott, who remained silent with a

say more and took the seat

the penalty fee, it's up to

doing too badly, especially with that black card filled with funds, and with the backing of the Ellington family, a

Kala nodded. "Alright."

and made a mistake, we can't shirk responsibility. I'll issue an apology and provide compensation for the victims' families. On top of that, we need to push forward new projects. We're venturing into robotics, and Griffin will join our team. Everyone needs to play their

Scott would be the one to turn things around,

under the thumb of Richard and was frequently in the sanatorium, had appeared less capable to

quite unexpected. Griffin, from the ancient warrior lineage? Were the Rivenwood families not reluctant to deal with those from such

need to rest," Baron said,