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.

kept glancing at Leopold, seeking

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

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

room, finally fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf,

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

busy, and frankly, we don't

and Vivienne's relationship had never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it was with

allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne

to look down on them as if she considered herself

her gaze to Baron,

wardrobe behind Baron, "Why do I feel

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite

in his voice, "That's just a

the theatrics? If there's something

sister back, worried she might provoke

nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, "Ashley's just suggesting the liquor cabinet can't

and simply looked

understood immediately and approached

apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5,

direct question took

had no knowledge of these

also shook his

other properties, they're usually nearby. The

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

were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall;

around except for Baron, who remained

a dismantled plank, Leopold

Baron and

What could

did not recall having anything

he reached into his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and tossed it into