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

Something felt off.

and him, except for her eyes, which bore a slight

in Havenwood, he realized that

the news of the shameful acts committed by

and kind woman. It was

he ordered another round of paternity tests, suspecting that Beatrice had tampered with the

him.

Brooks, we can’t let the rumors continue. Let’s find a way to salvage Arabella’s

abuzz with the news, how could they salvage her

incident, she believed Arabella’s image in the eyes of the Brooks had significantly deteriorated. When Arabella returned from Havenwood, she wouldn’t

she couldn’t help but feel

he was the one who took the

Karen’s daughter in such a manner.

mention it, he would find Finnian to discover the truth about Karen’s death. If she was murdered, he would

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

to keep a close eye on

laughing. “Grandma, are you sure Tristan will keep

but her eyes

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

her a debt

even got Ashley into trouble several times while

comment, she turned to Scott, saying,

said, massaging his forehead in

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

Arabella’s antics were enough to make the Brooks the laughingstock of Rivenwood, ridiculed

it was likely he would need to extend his stay at the health

“Understood.”

even Ashley nodded in agreement, though she doubted they could keep it from her