The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Scott’s normally stern face took on an even more sinister cast as he glared at Vivienne.

“When did you figure it out?” he asked, his voice deep and heavy with accusation.

He had always suspected that Vivienne would uncover his true identity, but he had not anticipated her discovery would come so swiftly.

Perhaps it was not today. Maybe she had known for quite some time, watching him like a court jester, smiling sweetly as he played his part, likely mocking him silently all the while.

“Let me think…” Vivienne propped her chin in her hand, feigning deep recollection. “I’d say it was around the time Rowan and Ismene disguised themselves as my foster parents.”

Scott felt his heart tighten, realizing she had known for longer than he thought.

Clearly, he had underestimated Vivienne.

Like mother, like daughter.

As the saying goes, a viper never gives birth to a dove.

“So, you didn’t come back to the Brooks family to find your biological father but to avenge your mother?” Scott’s voice was a low growl.

Vivienne’s lips curved slightly, but she remained silent.

Scott paused for a moment, then spoke again. “Since you know everything, you must also understand that I didn’t kill your mother.”

He had fallen for Karen at first sight, a love so sudden and all-consuming.

But he knew they would never have a future together.

When he discovered Karen was ‘Lark’, he knew his feelings would dissipate like mist. Because he was Scott, the high-ranking agent of GTO, the only person apart from the boss who knew the true face of Mr. B.

GTO was his allegiance, and Lark was its arch-nemesis.

For three years, he and Karen explored every nook of Rivenwood’s flower fields, witnessing the world’s most beautiful vistas together.

they would be forever,

were as

the decision to use Paula as a pawn to kill Karen at their engagement

Because it was the woman he

to his shock,

used his identity to eliminate over a hundred GTO

him all along. She had stayed silent, biding her time until she could expose his undercover agents, and then she

could not tell if he felt relief or

he would never forget

was absolutely certain she was Karen’s

Arabella was not his child, yet he played along.

though they had shared a bed that night, and the sheets bore the signs of a lover’s tryst, he knew

deeply in love with another man and

tests to put to rest the faint hope in his

and Vivienne, he found solace, repeatedly convincing himself that Karen had loved

time, the results from Frostfire Intelligence Agency came

it, believed that he had been with

knew someone would always shatter his self-deception. That person

unpredictably, Vivienne knew precisely what he

figure sinuous and alluring, like a poppy risen from the underworld. “I know you didn’t kill my mother. What does it matter? Mr. Brooks,

Scott remained silent.

clear eyes brimming with disdain and mockery, “So, spare me the act of deep affection. You’re really quite

was like a dagger, piercing Scott with icy

at Vivienne, and after a moment of silence, he said, “You didn’t come here just to

don’t you introduce me to

rejected

right hand, the benefactor who had elevated him. He would

anticipated

of her hand, she released an

Scott gasped for air, hands clutching at his neck, his eyes