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.

would be forever, just like an

her intentions were

a pawn to kill Karen at their

choice tore him apart. Because it was the woman he

his

she used his identity to

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

that moment, Scott could not tell if he

knew he would never forget

appeared, Scott was absolutely certain she was

was not his child, yet he

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

love with another man and so cunning, use intimacy with him to fulfill her

had arranged paternity tests to put to rest the faint

time the results confirmed a genetic match between him and Vivienne, he found solace, repeatedly convincing himself that Karen had loved

Intelligence Agency came back positive: Vivienne was his

almost believed it, believed that he had been with

someone would always shatter his

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

“I know you didn’t kill my mother. What does it matter? Mr. Brooks, have you never thought of

Scott remained silent.

clear eyes brimming with disdain and mockery, “So, spare me the

dagger, piercing Scott with

just to talk about my identity and your mother, did

“Why don’t you introduce me

Scott rejected

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

had anticipated this

hand, she released an odorless gas

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