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.

at Leopold, seeking clues as to

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

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

on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. "Mr.

not help but chuckle at her expression, playfully

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

warm, but certainly not as strained as it was with

for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne

to look down on them as if she considered

her gaze to Baron, her

a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, "Why do I feel like there's

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite

voice, "That's just a liquor cabinet. How could

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

quickly pulled his sister back,

the tension, "Ashley's just suggesting the

the comments and simply looked at

understood immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

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

question

had no knowledge

also shook his head

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

as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne,

members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid wall; how

crowded around except for Baron, who remained as still as a

plank, Leopold said, "Vivienne,

into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold,

could that

did not recall having anything of

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it into