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,

her intentions were as impure

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

it was the

to his shock, Karen

she vanished, she used his identity

She had stayed silent, biding her time until she could

moment, Scott could not tell if he felt relief or

he knew he

absolutely certain she was Karen’s

was not his child,

intimate with Karen! Even though they had shared a bed that night, and the

and so cunning, use

had arranged paternity tests to put to rest the faint hope

match between him and Vivienne, he found solace, repeatedly convincing himself that Karen had

the results from Frostfire Intelligence Agency came back

believed it, believed that he had

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

countenance shift unpredictably, Vivienne knew precisely

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

Scott remained silent.

with disdain and mockery, “So, spare me the act of

was like a dagger, piercing

moment of silence, he said, “You didn’t come here just to talk about my identity and your mother, did you?

“Why don’t you introduce me to Mr.

rejected the idea

right hand, the benefactor who had elevated him. He would never betray GTO,

anticipated

of her hand, she released an odorless gas that shot straight

breathe, Scott gasped for air, hands clutching at his neck, his eyes wide with