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

Vivienne was unable to

related to her, she was not responsible

Kala, but she would never blame herself for what

unsure of what

had been 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 bail when the going gets tough? I'm not dead yet. Even in hard times, I

I have been investigating it in the shadows

an eyebrow, genuinely

"We're discussing the future of the Brooks family. You should listen in. You're nearly twenty. It's time you learned about the

at her. "Do you think I raised

that, he glanced over at Timothy

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

now, Timothy was coming to terms

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

and Percival had done

Scott, who remained silent with a

not say more and took the seat

has paid the penalty fee, it's up to you whether

much money. After all, Karen's daughter could not be doing too badly, especially with

Kala nodded. "Alright."

finally got to 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

would be the one to turn

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

to recruit Griffin, which was quite unexpected. Griffin, from the ancient

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