The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 159

Ashley zipped her lips this time, her objective having been accomplished. With each word she had uttered, the countenance of the Brooks family members had darkened bit by bit.

They had already considered the possibility that Arabella was after their fortune.

“When we sent out invitations announcing the wedding of Scott, the news of his wife, Karen’s departure a day before the wedding. left us flabbergasted.” Timothy complained bitterly. “Our family became the laughing stock of all Rivenwood. It seems like mother like daughter.”

“Dad.” Timothy’s son Ronald interjected, eyeing Scott’s expression and halting his father from further comments.

Scott, with his hand supporting his temple, seemed to be lost in memories.

When Karen disappeared just before their wedding, all the Brooks were convinced she had betrayed him. However, he had always felt that wasn’t the case.

He knew that when he rescued the severely injured Karen, her background was more impressive than he could have ever guessed. Even the Brooks‘ resources couldn’t unearth her past.

Being the eldest son of the Brooks family, he was well–versed in the ways of the world. He knew not to involve himself with dangerous individuals.

Yet he fell in love with Karen. Despite her reluctance to discuss her past and the secrets she kept from him, he proposed to her.

And she left him without a word.

Why?

They loved each other so much. She was even pregnant with his child.

Over the years, he never gave up searching for Karen. When the news of Arabella’s existence reached him, he found out that Karen had been dead for many years.

That day, he felt his heart shatter. Amid his grief, he was grateful that Karen left him their child.

He swore to treat their daughter well, to give her the best of everything, and to make her a princess to compensate for the nineteen years they lost.

for the first time, he felt distant, even when she obediently

Something felt off.

Karen, and him, except for her eyes, which

Havenwood, he realized that she had ruined her reputation there before

the news of the shameful acts committed by a high

noble and kind woman. It was impossible for her to raise such a

he ordered another round of paternity tests, suspecting that Beatrice

the results disappointed him. Arabella was indeed

“Since we’ve confirmed she’s a Brooks, we can’t let the rumors continue.

was already abuzz with the

Brooks had significantly deteriorated.

this, she couldn’t help

“Since he was the one who

didn’t believe that Arabella was a Brooks. Given Finnian’s character, he wouldn’t raise Karen’s daughter in such a manner. Even if he didn’t raise her, he would

if Judith didn’t mention it, he would find Finnian to discover the

wanted to return there for her college entrance exam. By the time she’s done, the scandal

Tristan to keep a close eye on

out laughing. “Grandma, are you sure Tristan

her eyes

down on

around like a puppy, claiming he owed her a debt and

into trouble

Arabella. After considering Ashley’s comment, she turned to Scott, saying,

said, massaging his forehead in obvious

sternly instructed. “He’s been having some heart troubles, and

reputation above all else. Arabella’s antics were enough to make

found out, it was likely he would

“Understood.”

from the Brooks family; even Ashley nodded in agreement, though she