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

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

family's all here. Whatever

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

not help but chuckle at her expression,

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

never been overly warm, but certainly not as

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

Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if

to Baron, her stare

behind Baron, "Why do I feel like there's someone

sweat breaking out despite his

just a liquor cabinet.

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

his sister back,

a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, "Ashley's just suggesting the

the comments and simply looked

approached the cabinet,

attempted to intervene, but Percival spoke up, his tone detached, "Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County

question

no knowledge of these

who also

Even if we own other properties, they're usually nearby. The houses you mentioned are unfamiliar to us." Percival

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

stunned. Behind the cabinet was a

who remained as still

plank,

lips curved into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to

What could

not recall having anything

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and