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.

Kala had been

unable to ignore

to

she would never blame herself

at Vivienne, unsure of what

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

isn't on you. Even if it 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, perhaps the Brooks

an

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 are

at her. "Do you

he glanced over at Timothy

embarrassed expressions. It was not that they blamed Vivienne; it was just hard to accept what had happened right before their

was coming

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

had done merely brought everything

who

say more and took the seat next to

paid the penalty fee, it's up to you

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

Kala nodded. "Alright."

an apology and provide compensation for the victims' families. On

Scott would be the one to

seemed under the thumb of Richard and was

orchestrating a comeback with new projects and had even managed to recruit Griffin, which was quite unexpected. Griffin, from the ancient warrior lineage? Were the Rivenwood families not reluctant to

I'm tired and need to