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.

had been genuinely kind to

unable to ignore those who

though this incident was somewhat related to her, she was not responsible for

but she would

unsure of what

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 wouldn't let

I have been investigating it in the shadows for years. If we had discovered the

an eyebrow, genuinely

put, and don't worry about anything else," Baron said with finality. "We're discussing the future of the Brooks family. 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

her. "Do you think I raised

glanced over

they blamed Vivienne; it was just hard to accept what had happened

was coming to terms

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

done merely brought everything to

gaze then fell on Scott, who remained silent with

say more and took the seat

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

too badly, especially with that black card filled with funds, and with the backing of the Ellington family, a penalty fee was nothing

Kala nodded. "Alright."

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

be the one to turn things around, not

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

and had even managed to recruit Griffin, which was quite unexpected. Griffin, from the ancient warrior lineage? Were the Rivenwood families not reluctant to deal with those from such

tired and need