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 to

was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make.

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

room, finally fixing her gaze on Percival, her clear eyes shimmering with feigned confusion.

at her expression, playfully

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

Vivienne's relationship had never been overly warm, but certainly not

for Ashley, allowing a peaceful coexistence. But ever since Vivienne aired some family

how Vivienne always seemed to look down on them as

to

behind Baron, "Why do I

up instantly, cold sweat breaking out despite

his voice, "That's just a

stop with the theatrics? If there's

pulled his sister back, worried she might provoke

don't get upset," Darren said with a nervous chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, "Ashley's just suggesting the liquor cabinet can't be hiding

and simply looked

and approached the cabinet, dismantling

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

direct question took

had no knowledge of

also shook

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

they spoke, revealing a hidden passage. "Vivienne, there's a

members were stunned. Behind the cabinet was

crowded around except for Baron, who remained as

plank,

lips curved into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and said to Leopold, "You have something quite interesting in your pocket." Leopold was

What could

having anything of

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

hand and tossed it