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.

he felt distant, even when she

Something felt off.

was hardly any resemblance between her, Karen, and him,

about Arabella’s scandals in Havenwood, he realized that she had ruined her reputation there before

of the shameful acts committed by a high school girl

kind woman. It was impossible for her to raise such

of paternity tests, suspecting that Beatrice

results disappointed him. Arabella

halting their argument. “Since we’ve confirmed she’s a Brooks, we can’t let the rumors continue. Let’s find a way

disdainfully. If her high school was already abuzz with the news, how could they salvage her

of the Brooks had

of this, she couldn’t help but

the one who

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

Judith didn’t mention it, he would find Finnian to discover the truth about Karen’s

for Arabella, let her stay in Havenwood for now,” Judith decided. “She wanted to return there for her college entrance exam. By the

“Tell Tristan to keep a close eye on her. We can’t afford more

laughing. “Grandma, are you sure Tristan will

but her eyes showed

was like a mad dog, always looking down on them, the pampered

he owed her a debt and

Ashley into trouble several

with Arabella. After considering Ashley’s comment, she turned to Scott, saying, “Maybe we

it.” Scott said, massaging

this.” Judith sternly instructed. “He’s been having some heart troubles, and the last thing he

were enough to make the Brooks the laughingstock

he found out, it was likely he would need to extend his stay at the

“Understood.”

in agreement,