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.

had been genuinely kind to

how Vivienne was unable to ignore those who were sincerely kind to

incident was somewhat related to her, she was not responsible for the

assist Kala, but she would never blame herself for what

stared at Vivienne, unsure of

a woman of few words, never using two where one would suffice. But today, she had spoken at length. Without 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

Richard and I have been investigating it in the shadows for years. If we had discovered the truth sooner,

an

of the Brooks family. You should listen in. You're nearly twenty. It's time

at her. "Do you think I

over at Timothy

they blamed Vivienne; it was just hard to accept what

Timothy was coming

old lady had ten lives on her

and Percival had done merely brought

gaze then fell on Scott, who remained

more and took the seat

continued, "Kala, now that Vivienne has paid the penalty fee, it's up to you whether you want to stay

come into so much money. After all, Karen's daughter could not be doing too badly, especially with that black

Kala nodded. "Alright."

the crux of the matter. "Since Judith was one of our own 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 part so the Brooks family can recover our losses

had assumed Scott would be the one

and was frequently in the sanatorium, had appeared less capable to

had even managed to recruit Griffin, which was quite unexpected. Griffin, from the ancient warrior lineage? Were the Rivenwood families not reluctant to deal with those from

all. I'm tired and need to rest," Baron said, heading