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.

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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.

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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.

He had thought they would be forever, just like an everlasting sunset.

Unfortunately, her intentions were as impure as his.

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

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

But to his shock, Karen fled.

Before she vanished, she used his identity to eliminate over a hundred GTO agents.

It was 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 trace.

At that moment, Scott could not tell if he felt relief or resentment.

But he knew he would never forget her.

When Vivienne appeared, Scott was absolutely certain she was Karen’s daughter.

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He also knew Arabella was not his child, yet he played along. Why?

Because Vivienne was not 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 lover’s tryst, he knew nothing had actually

happened between them.

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

her mission?

He had arranged paternity tests to put to rest the faint hope in his heart.

Every time the results confirmed a genetic match between him and Vivienne, he found solace,

repeatedly convincing himself that Karen had loved him.

Even this time, the results from Frostfire Intelligence Agency came back positive: Vivienne was his

child.

He almost believed it, believed that he had been with Karen that night.

But now, he knew someone would always shatter his self-deception. That person was Vivienne.

Watching Scott’s countenance shift unpredictably, Vivienne knew precisely what he was pondering.

She sat down, 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 thought of killing her?”

Scott remained silent.

Vivienne scoffed, her clear eyes brimming with disdain and mockery, “So, spare me the act of deep

affection. You’re really quite terrible at it.”

Her gaze was like a dagger, piercing Scott with icy resolve.

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Scott looked at Vivienne, and after a moment of silence, he said, “You didn’t come here just to talk

about my identity and your mother, did you? Out with it. What do you want?”

Vivienne smiled. “Why don’t you introduce me to Mr. B?”

“Impossible!” Scott rejected the idea outright.

Mr. B was the organization’s right hand, the benefactor who had elevated him. He would never betray

GTO, not even for Karen, and certainly not now.

Vivienne had anticipated this reaction.

With a wave of her hand, she released an odorless gas that shot straight for Scott’s throat.

Struggling to breathe, Scott gasped for air, hands clutching at his neck, his eyes wide with disbelief as

he watched Vivienne’s retreating figure.

“This is my latest concoction, called ‘Bloom’s End.’ There’s no antidote yet. Since you were capable of

finding Brody to heal Calista, I’m sure you can find a cure for yourself. Good luck. I’m rooting for you,”

She said nonchalantly as she stood up.

Pausing, she added, “Oh, and do tell Brody that Brian’s obsession with the bounty is reaching

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madness. It won’t be long before he catches him. Run fast. I’ll cheer you guys on!”

With that, Vivienne turned and walked away.

Scott, fighting for breath and clutching his throat, could only stare in disbelief at Vivienne’s departing

silhouette.

She just walked away. Did she not fear he might spill the beans to Mr. B and spook the man into

fleeing?

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Would the best course of action not have been to silence him permanently?Books Chapters Are Daily

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Yet Vivienne only slipped him poison, and she even figured out something about Brody.

What on earth was she aiming for?

It was not until Vivienne’s figure vanished into the distance that Scott caught his breath.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed.

Oh, no!

He did not have time to ponder; he hastily relayed the incident to Mr. B and reached out to Brody.

Outside the Brooks Mansion, Vivienne climbed into a sleek black Lincoln.

The moment she was inside, she was enveloped in a firm embrace.

Breathing in that familiar scent, Vivienne’s heart slowly steadied.

“Is it all taken care of?” Percival asked.

Vivienne nodded, resting her eyes as she leaned on Percival’s shoulder. “Yeah, now it’s all up to Scott’s

next move.”

She had said it early on.

Death, of course, was not the best approach.

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