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.

glancing at Leopold, seeking clues as

Vivienne was about to

family's all here. Whatever

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

but chuckle at her expression,

are you up to? We're all quite busy, and frankly,

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

Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since

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

turned her gaze to

lifted a finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind

cold sweat breaking out

voice, "That's just a

the theatrics? If there's something to say, why can't you just say

his sister back, worried

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

comments and

immediately and approached

suburb apartment 36, South Ridge Community

direct question took Timothy

had no knowledge

who also

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

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

were stunned. Behind the cabinet was a

Baron, who remained as

on a dismantled plank, Leopold

a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, "You have something quite

could that

did not recall having

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand and tossed it into the