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, just like an

intentions were as impure as

came the decision to use Paula as a pawn to kill Karen at their engagement

choice tore him apart. Because it was

his shock,

his identity to

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

Scott could not tell if he felt relief

knew he would never forget

was absolutely certain she was Karen’s

knew Arabella was not his child, yet he played

his daughter. He had never been intimate with Karen! Even though they had shared a bed that night, and the sheets bore the signs of a

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

put to rest the faint hope in

time the results confirmed a genetic match between him and Vivienne, he found solace, repeatedly convincing himself that Karen had loved

Frostfire Intelligence Agency came back positive: Vivienne

almost believed it, believed that he had been

someone would always shatter his self-deception. That person

unpredictably, Vivienne knew precisely what he

her figure sinuous 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 the act of

a dagger, piercing Scott with

and after a moment of silence, he said, “You didn’t come here just to talk about

you introduce me

Scott rejected the idea

hand, the benefactor who had elevated him. He would

anticipated this

wave of her hand, she released an odorless gas

hands clutching at his neck, his eyes