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 forever,

her intentions were as impure as

came the decision to use Paula as a

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

his

used his identity to eliminate over a hundred

Scott realized that Karen had recognized him all along. She had stayed silent, biding her time until

could not tell

knew he would

was absolutely certain she was

knew Arabella was not his child, yet

been intimate with Karen! Even though they had shared a bed that night, and the sheets

and so cunning, use intimacy with

to rest the faint hope in

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

the results from Frostfire Intelligence Agency

believed it, believed that he

someone would always

Scott’s countenance shift unpredictably, Vivienne knew precisely what

underworld. “I know you didn’t kill my mother. What

Scott remained silent.

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

like a dagger, piercing Scott with

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

you introduce me to

rejected the idea

had elevated him.

had anticipated

she released an odorless gas that shot

neck, his eyes wide