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 clues as to what was

simply shrugged; he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After

"Vivienne, the family's all here.

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

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

up to? We're all quite busy, and frankly, we don't

overly warm, but certainly not

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

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

to Baron, her

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

cold sweat breaking out despite

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

the theatrics? If there's something to say, why can't

pulled his sister back,

don't get upset," Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, "Ashley's just suggesting the liquor cabinet can't

the comments and simply

approached

detached, "Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3... Timothy, do any

question took

no knowledge

glanced at Ronald, who also shook his

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

revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne, there's

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

around except for Baron, who remained as still as

plank, Leopold said,

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

could that

recall having anything of the

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it