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 as to what

about the announcement Vivienne was about to

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

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

could not help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

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

overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it was with

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

hated how Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as if she considered herself better

to

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

cold sweat breaking

voice, "That's just a

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

his sister back, worried

get upset," Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension,

comments and

and approached

Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa

question

had no knowledge of

Ronald, who also shook his

Even if we own other properties, they're usually nearby. The houses you mentioned are unfamiliar to us." Percival smiled. "Of course, you wouldn't know. But Baron, he

spoke, revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne,

Brooks family members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid

who remained as

a dismantled plank, Leopold said,

her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, "You have something quite interesting in your pocket." Leopold was

What could that

recall having anything of

into his pocket, he found a brand-new tear

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

the grenade in his hand and tossed it into the