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.

thought they would be forever,

were

Paula as a pawn to kill Karen at their engagement

Because it was

his shock, Karen

used his identity to

Karen had recognized him all along. She had stayed silent, biding her time until she could expose his undercover agents, and then

tell if he

he knew he would never

appeared, Scott was absolutely certain she was Karen's

Arabella was not his child, yet

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

with another man and so cunning, use intimacy with

had arranged paternity tests to put to

a genetic match between him and Vivienne, he found

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

he had been with Karen

always shatter his self-deception.

Vivienne knew precisely what

sat down, her figure sinuous and alluring, like a poppy risen from the underworld. "I know you didn't kill my

eyes brimming with disdain and mockery, "So, spare me the

like a dagger, piercing

after a moment of silence, he said, "You didn't come here just to talk about my identity and your

"Why don't you

rejected the

B was the organization's right hand, the benefactor who had elevated him. He would

anticipated this