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 genuinely kind to

was unable to ignore those

this incident was somewhat related to her, she was

assist Kala, but she would never blame herself for what

unsure of what

Vivienne had come back, she 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

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

an

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

glared at her. "Do you

over at

wore embarrassed expressions. It was not that they blamed Vivienne; it

Timothy was coming

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

Percival had done merely

then fell on Scott, who

more and

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

daughter could not be doing too badly, especially with that black card filled with funds, and with the backing of the

Kala nodded. "Alright."

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

intrigued. She had assumed Scott would be

was frequently in the sanatorium, had appeared less capable

new projects and had even managed to recruit Griffin, which was quite unexpected. Griffin, from the

need to rest," Baron