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.

seeking clues as to what was

he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After all, he was just

the family's all here. Whatever you need to say, go

Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems

at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

what are you up to? We're all quite busy, and frankly, we don't have

warm, but certainly not as

But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets

look down on them as if she considered herself better

gaze to Baron, her stare

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

cold sweat breaking out despite

pushed down the fear in his voice, "That's just a liquor cabinet. How could someone be

thought Vivienne was being ridiculous. "Can you stop with the theatrics? If there's something to say, why can't

quickly pulled his sister back,

to defuse the tension,

and simply

and approached the cabinet,

tone detached, "Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3... Timothy, do any of

direct question took

no knowledge

who also

usually nearby. The houses

revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne,

Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how could there

around except for Baron, who remained as still as

dismantled plank, Leopold

lips curved into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, "You have something quite interesting in your

What could that

not recall having

reached into his pocket, he found a brand-new tear gas

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and