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

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

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

gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not everyone's present,

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

are you up to? We're all quite busy, and

never been overly warm, but certainly

caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets about her

seemed to look down on

turned her gaze to Baron,

pointing towards the wardrobe behind

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

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

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

quickly pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke Vivienne

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

ignored the comments and

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3... Timothy, do any of these addresses ring

question took

no knowledge of

at Ronald, who also shook

properties, they're usually nearby.

liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden

were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid

Baron, who remained

dismantled plank,

gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, "You have something quite

What could

not recall having

he reached into his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it