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

was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was

"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 like not everyone's

could not help but chuckle at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

busy, and frankly, we don't have

never been overly warm, but certainly not

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

on them

turned her gaze to Baron,

wardrobe behind

straightened up instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite

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

you stop with the theatrics? If there's something

sister back,

to defuse the tension, "Ashley's just suggesting the liquor cabinet

comments and simply

approached

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

direct question took Timothy

knowledge

Ronald, who also shook his head

other properties, they're usually nearby. The houses you mentioned are unfamiliar to us." Percival smiled. "Of course,

the liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a hidden passage.

the cabinet was a solid

who remained as still as a

a dismantled plank, Leopold said,

curved into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold,

What could

not recall having anything

his pocket,

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand and tossed it into