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

were

a pawn to kill Karen at their

choice tore him apart. Because it was the woman he

his shock, Karen

his identity

stayed silent, biding her time until she could expose his undercover agents, and then

that moment, Scott could not tell if

knew he

Vivienne appeared, Scott was absolutely certain she was

was not his child, yet he played along.

they had shared a bed that night, and

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

to put to rest the faint

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

Frostfire Intelligence Agency came

believed that he had been with Karen that

would always shatter his self-deception. That

shift unpredictably, Vivienne knew precisely what he

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

Scott remained silent.

brimming with disdain and mockery, “So, spare me

a dagger, piercing Scott with

didn’t come here just to talk about my identity and your mother, did you? Out with it. What

“Why don’t you introduce me to Mr.

Scott rejected the

right hand, the benefactor who had elevated him. He

had anticipated

released an odorless gas that shot straight for Scott’s

gasped for air, hands clutching at his neck, his