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

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

this incident was somewhat related to

but she would never blame herself

at Vivienne, unsure of what to

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 can just bail when the going gets

wouldn't have spared her. This case... Richard and I have been investigating it in the

raised an

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

"Do you think

he glanced over at Timothy

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

coming to

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

had done merely

fell on Scott, who remained silent

did not say more and took the seat next

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

much money. After all, Karen's daughter could not be doing too badly, especially with that black card filled with funds, and with the backing of

Kala nodded. "Alright."

delegate tasks and 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 venturing

had assumed Scott would be the one to turn

often seemed under the thumb of Richard and was frequently

recruit Griffin, which was quite

I'm tired and need to rest,"