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

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

incident was somewhat related to her, she was not responsible

could assist Kala, but she would

at Vivienne, unsure of

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

tone softening, "This isn't 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 years. If we had

an eyebrow, genuinely

listen in. You're nearly twenty. It's time you learned about the company."

at her. "Do

over at Timothy

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

now, Timothy was coming

on her conscience, and she could not escape death

Percival had done merely brought everything to

on Scott, who remained silent with

more and took the seat next to

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

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 penalty fee was nothing

Kala nodded. "Alright."

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

was intrigued. She had assumed Scott would be the

the thumb of Richard and was

even managed to recruit Griffin, which was quite unexpected.

all. I'm tired and need to rest,"