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 genuinely kind to

to ignore those who were

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

but she would never blame

at Vivienne, unsure of what to

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.

his 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

raised an eyebrow,

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

at her. "Do

he glanced over at Timothy and

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

Timothy was coming to terms

her conscience,

Vivienne and Percival had done merely brought everything to

Scott, who remained

not say more and took the

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

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

Kala nodded. "Alright."

went on to 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

Scott would be

often seemed under the thumb of Richard and was frequently in

Baron was orchestrating a comeback with new projects and had even managed to recruit Griffin, which was quite

and need