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

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

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

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

quite busy, and frankly, we don't

been overly warm, but

Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family

on them as if she considered

her gaze to Baron, her

wardrobe behind Baron, "Why do I feel like

cold sweat

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

you stop with the theatrics? If

quickly pulled his sister back, worried

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

comments and simply looked at

and approached the cabinet, dismantling

up, his tone detached, "Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign

question took Timothy

had no knowledge of

who also

properties, they're usually nearby. The houses you

cabinet as they spoke, revealing a

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

except for Baron, who remained as still

a dismantled plank, Leopold said,

gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, "You have something quite interesting in

What could that

not recall having

his pocket, he found a brand-new

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and tossed it into