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.

time, he felt distant,

Something felt off.

hardly any resemblance between her, Karen, and him, except for

scandals in Havenwood, he realized that

of the shameful acts committed by a high

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

another round of paternity tests, suspecting that

results disappointed him. Arabella

Judith cut in, halting their argument. “Since we’ve confirmed she’s a Brooks, we can’t let the rumors

already abuzz with the news, how could they salvage

image in the eyes of the Brooks had significantly deteriorated.

this, she couldn’t help but

to locate Finnian.” Judith suggested with a sigh. “Since he was the one who took the child away, we have to hear his

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

discover the truth about

return there for her college entrance exam. By the time she’s done, the scandal here will have

Tristan to keep a close eye on her.

laughing. “Grandma, are you sure

her

mad dog, always looking down on them, the pampered children of the

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

trouble several times

Arabella. After considering Ashley’s comment, she turned

care of it.” Scott said, massaging his forehead in obvious

your father hear about this.” Judith sternly instructed. “He’s been having some

antics were enough to make the Brooks the laughingstock of Rivenwood, ridiculed for

likely he would

“Understood.”

no objections from the Brooks family; even Ashley nodded in agreement, though she doubted they could keep it from her grandfather