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 as

was clueless about the announcement Vivienne was about to make. After

all here. Whatever you need to say,

with feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf, am I bad at counting? It seems like not

at her expression, playfully pinching her cheek.

busy, and frankly, we don't have time to

but certainly not as strained as

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

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

gaze to Baron, her stare

finger, pointing towards the wardrobe behind Baron, "Why do I feel

cold sweat breaking out despite his

down the fear in his voice, "That's just

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

his sister back, worried she might

chuckle, trying to defuse the tension, "Ashley's just

comments and simply looked

approached

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 addresses ring a

direct question took Timothy

had no knowledge

who also shook his

if we own other properties, they're usually nearby. The houses you mentioned are unfamiliar to us." Percival smiled. "Of course, you wouldn't

liquor cabinet as they spoke, revealing a

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

around except for Baron, who remained

plank, Leopold

lips curved into a sly smile as she fixed her gaze on Baron and

could

not recall having anything of the

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

Typical Vivienne, always prepared.

grenade in his hand and tossed it into