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.

had thought they would be forever, just like

intentions were

as a

tore him apart. Because it was the woman he loved

his shock,

vanished, she used his identity to eliminate over a hundred GTO

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

moment, Scott could not tell if he felt relief

he would never forget

was absolutely certain she

his child, yet he played

never been intimate with Karen! Even though they had shared a bed that night, and the sheets bore the

another man and so

arranged paternity tests to put to rest the faint hope

a genetic match between him and Vivienne, he found solace, repeatedly

from Frostfire Intelligence Agency

he had been with Karen

would always shatter his self-deception. That person

Scott’s countenance shift unpredictably, Vivienne knew precisely what he

risen from the underworld. “I know you didn’t kill my mother. What does it matter? Mr. Brooks, have you never

Scott remained silent.

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

was like a dagger, piercing Scott with icy

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

you

rejected the

who had elevated him. He would never betray GTO,

anticipated

hand, she released an odorless gas

Scott gasped for air, hands clutching at his neck, his eyes wide with disbelief as he watched Vivienne’s retreating