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 an

intentions were as impure

came the decision to use Paula as a pawn to

that choice tore him apart. Because it was the woman he

his shock, Karen

his identity to eliminate over

recognized him all along. She had stayed silent, biding her time until

tell if

knew he

Vivienne appeared, Scott was absolutely certain she was

Arabella was not his child,

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

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

to rest the faint hope in his

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

from Frostfire Intelligence

he had been with

always shatter his self-deception. That person was

unpredictably, Vivienne knew precisely what

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

Scott remained silent.

disdain and mockery, “So, spare me the act

gaze was like a dagger, piercing

just to talk about my identity and your mother, did you? Out with

smiled. “Why don’t you

rejected the

the benefactor who had elevated him. He would never betray GTO, not even for Karen, and certainly not

anticipated

she released an

at his neck, his eyes wide with disbelief as