The Million-Dollar Heart

Kala felt a ripple of anxiety; she certainly did not want the Brooks family to become tabloid fodder again.

It was not about her rising career but the desire to preserve the harmonious unity of the Brooks family from fragmenting into scandal.

Vivienne's gaze dropped slightly before she spoke softly, "There's a bit of an issue."

Kala's heart clenched with worry. "Vivienne, please tell me it's not something to do with Dad..."

Her words stumbled out of her, knotted with nerves.

No, it could not be!

Her father was the epitome of kindness, incapable of harming a soul.

Though she tried to reassure herself, Kala's palms were drenched with sweat from her mounting tension.

"Let's discuss it when he gets back," Vivienne said as she sat down and pulled out her phone to call Timothy, telling him to return home.

Meanwhile, with Cheryl's support, Baron made his way out of his room.

Kala rushed to help Baron down the stairs, her mind racing with apprehension.

She had no clue what would unfold next.

But she was certain that whatever was about to happen would once again turn the Brooks family upside down.

"Vivienne, what's on your mind?" Baron asked, his aged eyes betraying a hint of guilt.

Vivienne smiled faintly. "Let's wait until everyone's here."

Baron did not press further, but his grip on his cane tightened, his hand slick with anxious perspiration.

Soon, Timothy and Ronald returned, and alongside them walked Ashley with her brother Darren and Melissa in tow.

With the Brooks family gathered, silence fell, all eyes on Vivienne and Percival.

at Leopold, seeking clues

shrugged; he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make.

the family's all here.

shimmering with feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not everyone's present,

chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek. "Indeed, not

We're all quite busy, and frankly, we don't have time to watch you

been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it was

Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But

to look down on them as if

turned her gaze to Baron, her stare

the wardrobe behind Baron, "Why

straightened up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

voice, "That's just a liquor cabinet. How could

stop with the theatrics?

sister back, worried she might

with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, "Ashley's just suggesting the liquor cabinet can't be hiding someone, that's

the comments and simply looked at

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

detached, "Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community

direct question took Timothy

knowledge

Ronald, who also shook

the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other properties, they're usually nearby. The

as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne, there's a secret

Behind the cabinet was a solid wall;

Baron, who remained

on a dismantled plank, Leopold said,

on Baron and

What could

did not recall having anything of

pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

the grenade in his hand and tossed it into