The Million-Dollar Heart

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.

be

her intentions were as impure as

to use Paula as a

it was the

his shock,

she vanished, she used his identity to eliminate over a hundred

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

moment, Scott could not tell if he felt

knew he would never forget

Scott was absolutely certain she was Karen's

also knew Arabella was not his

with Karen! Even though they had shared a bed that night, and the sheets bore the signs of a lover's

in love with another man and so cunning, use

tests to put to

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

time, the results from Frostfire Intelligence Agency came back

that he had been with

someone would always shatter

countenance shift unpredictably, Vivienne knew

alluring, like a poppy risen from the underworld. "I know you didn't kill my mother. What

mockery, "So, spare me the act of deep affection.

was like a dagger, piercing Scott

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

smiled. "Why don't you introduce me

Scott rejected the

had elevated him.

had anticipated