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

just how Vivienne was unable to ignore those who were

related to

assist Kala, but she would never blame herself

Vivienne, unsure of what

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 tough? I'm not dead yet.

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

an

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 think

glanced over at Timothy and

It was not that they blamed Vivienne; it was

coming

her conscience, and she could not escape death

had done merely

then fell on Scott, who remained silent with

more and took the seat next to

Vivienne has paid the penalty fee, it's up

question how Vivienne had come into so 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 the Ellington family, a

Kala nodded. "Alright."

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

intrigued. She had assumed Scott would be the one to turn things around, not

thumb of Richard and was frequently in the sanatorium, had

was quite unexpected. Griffin, from the ancient warrior lineage?

need to