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 to what

was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about

the family's all here. Whatever

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

chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

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

never been overly warm, but certainly not as strained

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

seemed to look down on them as

to Baron,

the wardrobe behind Baron, "Why

up instantly, cold sweat

pushed down the fear in his voice, "That's just a liquor cabinet. How could someone be in

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

back, worried she might provoke

trying to defuse the tension, "Ashley's just suggesting the liquor cabinet can't

the comments and simply looked

immediately and approached the

attempted to intervene, but Percival spoke up, his tone detached, "Rivenwood suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community villa 5, East County Villa 17, Sovereign Community 19-3... Timothy, do any of these

direct question took

had no knowledge of these

who also shook his head in

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 wouldn't know. But Baron,

dismantled the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a

Brooks family members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a solid

who remained as still

dismantled plank, Leopold said,

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

could that

not recall having anything

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

the grenade in his hand and