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.

seeking clues as to what was

he was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to

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

the room, finally fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems

could not help but chuckle at her expression,

We're all quite busy, and frankly, we don't have time to

warm, but certainly not as strained

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

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

turned her gaze to Baron, her

the wardrobe behind Baron, "Why do I feel like

up instantly, cold sweat breaking

fear in his voice, "That's just a liquor cabinet.

you stop with the theatrics? If

quickly pulled his sister back,

nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, "Ashley's

and simply looked at

approached

intervene, but Percival spoke up, his tone detached, "Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East

direct question took Timothy

no knowledge of these

glanced at Ronald, who also

a moment, 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

liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne, there's

the cabinet was a solid wall; how could there be a

around except for Baron, who remained as still

plank, Leopold said, "Vivienne, what

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

could that

recall having anything of the

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

in his hand and tossed it