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

the announcement Vivienne was about

here. Whatever you need to

her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting?

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

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

Vivienne's relationship had never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as

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

always seemed to look down on them as

to

the wardrobe behind Baron, "Why do I feel

cold sweat

just a liquor cabinet. How could

theatrics? If

pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke Vivienne

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

the comments and simply looked

understood immediately and approached the

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

question

had no knowledge of

Ronald, who also shook his head

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

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

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

around except for Baron, who remained as still as a

on a dismantled plank, Leopold

lips curved into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, "You have something quite interesting in your pocket." Leopold was

could that

recall having anything of

he reached into his pocket, he

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it into