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

he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about

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

with feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not

her expression, playfully pinching her cheek. "Indeed, not

all quite busy, and frankly, we don't

had never been overly warm, but certainly not

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

seemed to look down on

her gaze to Baron,

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

sweat breaking out despite

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

you stop with the theatrics? If there's something

pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke

Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, "Ashley's just suggesting the liquor cabinet

the comments and

approached the cabinet, dismantling it

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

question took Timothy

no knowledge

glanced at Ronald, who also shook his head

Timothy replied, "The Brooks family mostly resides in the 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 wouldn't know. But Baron, he knows very

had dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing

stunned. Behind the cabinet was

who remained as still as

plank, Leopold said, "Vivienne,

a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, "You have

What could

not recall having

into his pocket, he found a brand-new tear

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

the grenade in his hand and tossed it into