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 what was

Vivienne was about to make. After

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

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

chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

We're all quite busy, and frankly,

warm, but certainly not as strained as it was

had not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since

on them as if she considered herself better

her gaze to

behind Baron, "Why do I feel like

instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite

pushed down the fear in his voice, "That's just a

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

his sister back, worried

defuse the tension, "Ashley's just suggesting the liquor cabinet

the comments and simply looked

immediately and approached the cabinet,

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

question

knowledge

at Ronald, who also shook his head in

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

revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne, there's

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

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, "You have something quite interesting in

could

recall having

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand