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

were as

use Paula as a pawn to

Because it was the woman

to his shock,

used his identity

then Scott realized that Karen had recognized him all along. She had stayed silent, biding her time until she could expose his undercover agents, and then she disappeared without a

not tell if

he knew he would

absolutely certain she

his child, yet he

with Karen! Even though they had shared a bed that night, and the sheets bore the signs of a lover’s tryst, he knew nothing had

Karen, so deeply in love with another man and so cunning, use intimacy with him

paternity tests to put to rest

genetic match between him and Vivienne,

from Frostfire Intelligence Agency came

almost believed it, believed that he had been

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

shift unpredictably, Vivienne

know you didn’t kill my mother. What does it matter? Mr. Brooks,

Scott remained silent.

mockery, “So, spare me the act of

like a dagger, piercing Scott

here just

don’t you introduce me to

Scott rejected the idea

him.

anticipated

she released an odorless gas that shot

air, hands clutching at his neck, his eyes wide with disbelief as