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 forever, just

intentions were as

the decision to use Paula as a pawn to

him apart. Because it was the woman he

his

she used his identity to

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

Scott could not tell

he knew he

Scott was absolutely

knew Arabella was not his child, yet he played along.

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

love with another man and so cunning, use intimacy with

paternity tests to put to rest the faint hope

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

Intelligence Agency came back positive: Vivienne was

almost believed it, believed that he had been with Karen

would always shatter his self-deception. That person

Scott's countenance shift unpredictably, Vivienne

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

"So, spare

like a dagger,

silence, he said, "You didn't come here just to talk

don't you

Scott rejected

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

anticipated this