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.

Leopold, seeking clues

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

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

clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion.

help but chuckle at her expression, playfully

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

relationship had never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained

she had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But

on them as if she considered herself better than

gaze to Baron,

the wardrobe behind Baron, "Why do

straightened up instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite his

in his voice, "That's just

being ridiculous. "Can you stop with the theatrics?

pulled his sister back, worried she might

defuse the tension, "Ashley's just

the comments and simply

understood immediately and approached the

South Ridge Community villa 5, East County

direct question took

no knowledge of these

also shook his head in

they're usually nearby. The houses you mentioned are unfamiliar to us." Percival smiled. "Of course, you wouldn't know. But Baron, he knows

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

was a solid wall; how

around except for Baron, who remained as still as

dismantled plank, Leopold said, "Vivienne, what

and said to Leopold, "You have something quite interesting in your pocket."

could

having

into his pocket, he found a brand-new tear

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and tossed it into