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

was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After

here. Whatever you need

feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf, am I

chuckle at her expression, playfully

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

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

had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets

on

her gaze to Baron, her

wardrobe behind

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

voice, "That's just a

being ridiculous. "Can you stop with the theatrics? If there's something to say, why

quickly pulled his sister back, worried she might

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

and simply

understood immediately and approached

to intervene, but Percival spoke up, his tone detached, "Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3... Timothy, do any of these addresses

question took

knowledge

also shook

resides in the Brooks Mansion. Even if we own other properties, they're usually nearby. The houses you mentioned

revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne, there's

the cabinet was a solid wall; how could there be a

Baron, who remained as still

on a dismantled plank, Leopold said, "Vivienne,

on Baron and said to Leopold, "You have something

could that

did not recall having anything

pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and