The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the nursing home.

Baron was hoisted off the floor by the staff. A surge of rage shot straight to his temples as his eyes

scanned the chaotic mess that was once his pristine living room.

He changed into fresh clothes and, with a storm brewing within, he made a beeline to the Brooks

residence.

Judith was deep in conversation with Scott to discuss the details of Calista’s engagement party when

Baron stormed in. She blinked in surprise.

“Why you’re back?”

Ever since Baron had checked into the nursing home, he had washed his hands of all matters

concerning the Brooks family. Other than the time he brought back Vivienne. After being scolded by

Richard that time, he moved into the Brooks household for a while before returning to the nursing

home. Then he rarely came back.

But his sudden return today and his grim face both puzzled Judith.

She couldn’t fathom who might have crossed him.

“If I hadn’t come back, it seems you lot would have really gone off the rails!” Baron’s anger erupted, his

hand making sharp contact with Judith’s cheek as he bellowed, “Who gave you the right to call off

Vivienne and Percival’s engagement? Who gave you such nerves? Since when is Calista worthy of

claiming the title of a Brooks?”

His face turned a shade of thunderous blue as he continued, “If she’s smart, she can stay put and

behave for the rest of her life. If not, she can get lost and forget she ever belonged to the Brooks

family.”

Judith clutched her face in disbelief. She didn’t believe that he really hit her.

They had lived side by side for decades, not necessarily with deep affection, but always with mutual

respect. He had never raised his voice to her before, let alone raised a hand.

Today, not only had he lashed out at her verbally, but he had also struck her physically.

“You… you hit me?” Judith stammered, barely able to squeeze the words out.

Baron glanced at her, his voice cold as ice, “That slap is to remind you that there are consequences for

acting out of turn!”

His gaze towards Judith was tinged with disdain.

Their marriage had been arranged, and throughout their life together, they had treated each other with

respect. He had given her reign over the household not out of love, but because he needed a woman

to run the home.

Judith had handled many things well, but when it came to the big decisions, she lacked judgment and

was overly cunning, just like with the matter of Vivienne’s broken engagement.

Did she really think he was unaware of her scheming?

The marriage pact between his father and the Ellingtons was known only to Judith, and she was fully

aware that Richard disapproved of it.

Her push to marry Calista off wasn’t about uniting the Brooks with the Ellingtons in strength; it was

personal spite!

She knew full well what Calista was like. Surely, she could see that among all the grandchildren, only

Vivienne truly shone as the best of the Brooks.

By pushing Calista onto Percival, she was simply trying not to let the Ellingtons have it too easy.

She resented that woman, but she could never measure up to her! And she resented him for he had

never let go of that woman for years, even though she had long since passed away and turned to dust.

Judith’s face flushed uncomfortably as Baron seemed to read her like an open book.

Baron dismissed her and turned to Scott, “And if your mother lacks sense, don’t you have any? Do you

think engagements can be broken and replaced on a whim?”

Scott’s eyes narrowed slightly, casting a glance at Baron with an unaffected expression, “I have my

reasons.”

“I don’t care about your reasons. The marriage between Calista and Percival will not be recognized by

Richard, nor by me. Drop the idea unless you want me to take action. I may be old and out of affairs,

but that doesn’t mean I can’t handle you.”

Scott remained silent.

Baron continued, “And as for that Calista, throw her a reunion party if you must, but changing her name

is out of the question! How could a bastard child carry the Brooks name?”

“Also, if you dare to stir up any more trouble and make that old cap Richard come to me, just don’t

blame me for cutting our family ties! You can do whatever you want once I’m gone, but as long as I’m

alive, save me the headaches!”

With those words, Baron turned and headed upstairs. He planned to stay at the Brooks residence for a

while. Some people always rigged when he was not around.

But just as he reached the staircase, a thunderous explosion rocked the air, “Boom!”

Scott, who was closer, immediately supported him and asked with a stern face, “What was that?”

Before the echo had faded, another blast shook the house.

Scott’s expression turned to ice as he commanded a servant, “Find out what’s going on!”

Upstairs, Vivienne was assembling Lego blocks with Thaddeus when the loud noise startled the boy

into her arms, trembling uncontrollably.

Vivienne’s face darkened instantly. She approached the window, looking down to see Jerry and his

gang gleefully tossing bombs onto the Brooks property.

They must have scouted the land for they were aiming at the open spaces. But the bombs were

powerful enough to shake the entire building.

Then she heard Dawson shout, “Hurry up, guys! We need to clear out of Rivenwood in less than half

an hour as per Vivienne’s orders. We only have ten minutes left.”

“Yeah, yeah, hurry up! Vivienne’s punishments are phycho; I can’t risk her upping the ante!”

Vivienne glared at them.

Phycho?

No!

She was gentle! The gentlest girl in the world, according to Mr. Wolf!

Vivienne glanced down at the group. She held Thaddeus close and whispered soothingly, “Don’t be

afraid; they’re just teaching some bad guys a lesson.”

Hearing that it was time to teach a lesson to a bully, Thaddeus was no longer afraid. “Sis, with you

here, I’m not scared at all.”

Vivienne chuckled, then scooped up her brother and settled them both by the window. She grabbed a

bowl of roasted peanuts and, with Thaddeus, they cracked nuts and watched the drama unfold from

their vantage point.

Outside, Scott emerged with his entourage. His face was a stormy shade of blue as he glared at Jerry

and his crew, “Who the heck are you guys? Why are you messing with my property?”

Jerry stood opposite him, hands casually in his pockets, his presence every bit as commanding as

Scott’s, “We’re Vivienne’s brothers-in-arms and we are here to give the Brooks family a wake-up call.

You mess with Vivienne, so you mess with us. If you or your cronies come after her again, next time,

we won’t be tossing fireworks into an empty lot. It’ll be into your bedroom you’ll find them!”

Scott’s eyes narrowed, his body radiating a chilling aura.

Just then, the last of the bombs had been set off, and Jerry gave the order with a nonchalant air, “Let’s

roll!”

They didn’t give Scott a second glance and walked away.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join &

Stay Updated For All Books Updates…

Scott watched their retreat; an ominous energy swirled around him.

Meanwhile, Jerry and his gang hopped into their car, speeding out of Rivenwood.

Their phones rang simultaneously, jolting everyone. Oh no, was Vivienne going to read them the riot

act?

Trembling, they pulled out their phones and found a message from Vivienne: “Scribe the Ten

Commandments 500 times.”

They were thrilled upon reading the message.

That’s right!

The best way to deal with Vivienne was to stay on her good side.

And the best way to do that? Never messed with Percival.

With Vivienne’s command, they slowed down their escape and was no longer in rush.

Dawson had a sudden thought and blurted out, “Larry, man, you brought in all these fireworks and

made such a scene. You think the Feds are gonna come knocking?”

Larry lifted his eyes lazily, “I imported a whole five-truckload of gear from Fariana Isle and donated it all

to the authorities.”

The rest of the crew gave him a thumbs-up, “Epic!”