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

clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make.

"Vivienne, the family's all here. Whatever you

eyes shimmering with feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf, am

at her

to? We're all quite busy, and frankly, we don't

and Vivienne's relationship had never been overly warm, but

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

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

to Baron,

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

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out

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

"Can you stop with the theatrics?

pulled his sister back,

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

comments and simply looked

immediately and approached the cabinet, dismantling it

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

question

had no knowledge of

at Ronald, who also

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." Percival smiled. "Of course, you wouldn't know. But Baron, he knows very

revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne,

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

around except for Baron, who

on a dismantled plank, Leopold said, "Vivienne, what

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

could

not recall having anything of the

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

his hand and tossed it into