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.

between her, Karen, and him, except for her eyes, which bore

he realized that

by a high school girl could be his

was impossible for

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

disappointed him. Arabella was indeed

we can’t let the rumors

snorted disdainfully. If her high school was already abuzz with the news,

the Brooks had significantly deteriorated. When Arabella returned

thinking of this, she couldn’t help but

suggested with a sigh. “Since he was the

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

didn’t mention it, he would find Finnian to discover the truth about Karen’s death. If she

her stay in Havenwood for now,” Judith decided. “She wanted to return there for

a close

“Grandma, are you sure Tristan will keep an eye on

but her eyes showed

down on them, the pampered children

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

trouble several

Arabella. After considering Ashley’s comment, she turned to Scott, saying, “Maybe we should send someone to keep an

it.” Scott said, massaging his

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

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

he would need to extend his stay at

“Understood.”

Brooks family; even Ashley nodded in agreement, though she doubted