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

to ignore those

related to her, she was not

she would never blame herself for what had

at Vivienne, unsure of what

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 wouldn't let my granddaughter

case... Richard and I have been investigating it in

raised an eyebrow,

You're nearly

glared at her. "Do you think

glanced over

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

was coming

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

Percival had done

on Scott, who

not say more and took the seat

the penalty fee, it's up to

doing too badly, especially with that black card filled with funds, and with the backing of the Ellington family,

Kala nodded. "Alright."

"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 into robotics, and Griffin will join our team. Everyone

She had assumed Scott would be the one to turn things around,

who often seemed under the thumb of Richard and was frequently in the sanatorium, had appeared less capable

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

tired and need to rest," Baron said, heading