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

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

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

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

at her expression, playfully

frowned. "Vivienne, what are you up to? We're all quite busy, and frankly, we don't have time to watch you two

overly warm, but certainly

not caused any 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 them as if she considered

turned her gaze to

a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, "Why

sweat breaking

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

Vivienne was being ridiculous. "Can you stop with the theatrics? If there's something to say, why can't you

sister back, worried

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

the comments and

approached

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

direct question took

had no knowledge of

Ronald, who also

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.

revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne, there's

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

crowded around except for Baron, who

on a dismantled plank, Leopold said, "Vivienne,

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

could

not recall having anything

he reached into his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it into the