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 as to what was

simply shrugged; he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After all,

"Vivienne, the family's all here. Whatever you

fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf, am I bad

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

quite busy, and frankly, we

warm, but certainly not as strained as it

But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her grandmother, Ashley found her

seemed to look down on them as if she considered herself better

her gaze to Baron, her

a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, "Why do I feel like there's

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

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

being ridiculous. "Can you stop with the theatrics? If there's

sister back, worried she

defuse the tension, "Ashley's just

and simply looked at

and approached the

up, his tone detached, "Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East

direct question took

knowledge of

at Ronald, who also shook

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

had dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne, there's a secret tunnel

was a solid wall;

crowded around except for Baron, who remained as still as a

plank, Leopold

a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and

What could

did not recall having anything of

his pocket, he found a brand-new tear gas

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed