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

were as impure

decision to use Paula as a pawn to kill Karen at their

tore him apart. Because it was the woman he loved

his

identity

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

could not tell if he felt relief or

he would never

was absolutely certain

was not his child, yet

shared a bed that night, and the sheets bore the signs of a lover’s tryst, he knew nothing had actually happened

and so cunning, use intimacy with him to fulfill her

paternity tests to put to rest the faint hope in

confirmed a genetic match between him and Vivienne,

the results from Frostfire Intelligence Agency came back

that he had

someone would always shatter his self-deception.

Vivienne knew precisely what

you didn’t

Scott remained silent.

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

was like a dagger, piercing Scott with

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

you introduce me

Scott rejected the idea

him. He would never betray GTO, not even for Karen, and certainly not

anticipated

released an odorless gas

clutching at his neck, his eyes wide with disbelief as