The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Timothy was in disbelief.

He glanced at Scott and said urgently, “Come on, bro, can you please say something? Weren’t you the

one who got the paternity test done? We all saw the results. They confirmed without a doubt that

there’s a biological connection. Vivienne has been through a lot over the years, and now, with Calista

back, she’s been put through the wringer again. If this turns into another wrong accusation, she’s going

to lose all her love for the Brooks family.”

Scott turned to look at Vivienne. She sat there with the composure of a calm sea, unaffected by the

astounding news.

It seemed this revelation was not even worth batting an eyelid over to her!

She was not just like Karen; she surpassed her!

Scott stayed silent for a moment, then finally spoke in a deep voice, “Mom, stop this nonsense.

Vivienne is my daughter!”

Despite the nagging feeling inside him that Vivienne might not be his biological child, the evidence was

clear.

Ten paternity tests had all confirmed the relationship. And the result of the eleventh was still pending.

This time, he had employed the services of Frostfire Intelligence Agency, a globally connected

organization that would surely determine whether Vivienne was indeed his daughter.

Vivienne met his eyes and smiled – a smile enigmatic and profound.

Judith, on the other hand, was panicking. “No, she isn’t! I don’t know why the tests show that Vivienne

is your biological daughter, but I know she’s not! She doesn’t resemble you at all! Look at Calista – her

eyebrows, eyes, nose, they all look like you!”

In fact, she had secretly commissioned several paternity tests herself.

Yet, the results still confirmed the relationship between Scott and Vivienne.

She simply could not fathom why!

Her gut told her Vivienne was not Scott’s biological daughter, and her gut was rarely wrong!

This was why, when she learned Paula was planning to steal Scott’s sperm for Mila, she covertly lent a

hand.

A woman like Mila was far from her ideal daughter-in-law. At that time, it seemed the best course of

action.

Only if Mila bore Scott’s child could she drug Karen, arrange for someone to sleep with her, and drive

her away.

Her plans were flawless.

But then Scott proposed to Karen!

In a fit of pique, Mila married William.

Her plans were disrupted. Judith could only watch the engagement unfold, waiting for a chance to get

rid of Karen for good.

Unexpectedly, on the day of the wedding, Karen ran off.

The wedding was called off, and Judith breathed a sigh of relief. Nonetheless, she feared Karen’s

return, so she joined Scott in the search for her, only to discover that Karen had been pregnant when

she left.

Her face darkened at that news. That child, whether Scott’s or not, must never return to the Brooks

family!

Despite all her schemes and defenses, she had never anticipated that Vivienne could be Karen’s child!

Had she known it would come to this, she never would have insisted on sending Vivienne back to

Rivenwood.

Scott glanced disdainfully at Calista, but his voice left no room for doubt, “Enough. Vivienne is my

daughter, and I won’t tolerate any more questioning of her identity!”

His gaze at Calista intensified with disapproval.

What good was resemblance?

Be it in intelligence, cunning, or strategy, Calista could match Vivienne in none!

Even her schemes were unveiled by Vivienne, leading to the current debacle.

Vivienne and Percival had scores to settle, and this was just the beginning. Whether it would come

back to haunt Calista remained to be seen. If not for Calista’s usefulness to him, he would not even

glance at her.

Scott surveyed the room, his expression stern as he addressed Judith, “Mom, from now on, you’re

going to a church for some peace and reflection. Don’t worry about the house affairs anymore. The

stewardship will be handed over to your sister-in-law.”

Judith’s face paled. “What? You’re stripping me of my stewardship?”

Scott gave her a cold look. “You’re getting old. It’s time for you to enjoy some tranquility.”

“No!” Judith roared, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You’re doing this all for Karen, aren’t

you? But I’ve always had your best interests at heart, Scott. Someone of Karen’s background is not

worthy of you!”

While she said this, she could not deny that the Karen she had underestimated had turned out to be a

formidable power, her network of influence dwarfing that of ten Brooks families.

Yet, she was not willing to give in because Karen had usurped the place she intended for her chosen

daughter-in-law. Not Mila, but Holly, Richard’s youngest daughter.

Of course, Judith’s wish for Scott to marry Holly was not out of affection for the girl, but rather, she

wanted Holly to endure suffering in the Brooks family. She could only quell years of resentment by

tormenting that woman’s only daughter!

Alas, after that incident, Richard cut ties with Holly, who left Rivenwood, and vanished without a trace.

The Ellington family never spoke of her again.

She despised Karen, not just for her background, but because Karen had interfered with the wedding

she had almost secured between Holly and Scott.

“I’ll have your belongings packed and you escorted away immediately,” Scott said, frowning, his face

clouded with displeasure.

Such a stubborn old woman. Could she not tell he was doing her a favor?

Did she really think she, or the Brooks family, could outmaneuver Vivienne?

Karen was a force to be reckoned with, and Vivienne? There was no way she was just some Jane Doe.

She had dug up the dirt from the past; she could dig up more. No matter how powerful he was, some

skeletons just could not stay in the closet!

“Scott!” Percival said with a calm glance, his voice even-tempered, “What’s the rush? We’ve got some

scores to settle, which are best settled with the matriarch present. Her fate isn’t for you to decide.”

As he finished, he turned to Vivienne, “Right, Vivienne?”

Vivienne’s lips curled into a smile. “Mr. Wolf’s got it spot on!”

Having someone in her corner felt pretty good! She could boldly let things fall apart!

And watch as the expressions on certain faces shifted.

It was truly a spectacle!Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books

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Yup! It was definitely more entertaining than the beefcakes Kala had her watching!

Scott furrowed his brow, turning towards Vivienne, “Vivienne…”

Before he could continue, Vivienne addressed Percival, “Mr. Wolf, let’s put the gemstone debts and the

family reunion tally on the back burner for now. How about we start with Judith here and the little matter

of ten lives on her conscience?”

Her voice was languid, and across the room, Calista found her nonchalance grating.

She could not help but say, “Vivienne, that’s enough! Regardless of everything, Grandma is still your

elder. You’re way out of line!”

Vivienne arched an eyebrow, looking toward Percival with a mischievous air. “Mr. Wolf, it seems like

Calista is itching to settle up. Shall we put Judith on hold and tally her account first?”

Percival’s lips twitched into a smile. “No rush! We’ll take it one step at a time. The detectives from the

Major Crimes Unit and the Vanguard Agency are waiting outside. Once we’ve cleared the books, they’ll

be ready to provide them with a fitting destination!”