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, just

her intentions were as impure

Paula as a pawn

apart. Because it was

to his

used his identity

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

not tell

he knew he would never

Scott was absolutely

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 had actually happened

with another man and

had arranged paternity tests to put to rest the

genetic match between him and Vivienne, he found

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

he had been

someone would always shatter his

shift unpredictably, Vivienne

didn't kill my mother. What does it matter? Mr.

with disdain and mockery, "So, spare me the act of deep affection. You're

dagger, piercing

of silence, he said, "You didn't come here just to talk about my identity and your mother, did you? Out with it. What

"Why don't you introduce me to

rejected

benefactor who had elevated him. He

had anticipated