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.

Leopold, seeking clues as

the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After

here. Whatever

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

at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

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

relationship had never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained as it was with

not caused any trouble for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family secrets

to look down on them as if she considered herself better

gaze to Baron,

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

cold sweat breaking

down the fear in his voice, "That's just a liquor

theatrics? If there's something

sister back,

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

ignored the comments and simply looked at

approached

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

question took

no knowledge of these

Ronald, who also shook his head

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."

had dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing

family members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid

who remained

dismantled plank, Leopold said, "Vivienne, what

as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, "You have something quite interesting in

What could that

recall having anything

reached into his pocket, he found a brand-new tear gas

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand and tossed it into