The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

After getting Anna settled, Vivienne received another message from Matthew.

[Vivienne, Scott’s found Rowan and Ismene!]

A sly smile curled Vivienne’s ruby lips.

That Scott never did sit still. Fresh from nabbing the potion, now he was off cleaning house.

Truly a loyal hound for GTO.

Vivienne glanced up, her gaze laced with intrigue as she eyed Percival, her voice dripping with

seduction, “Mr. Wolf, there’s a show worth catching. Care to join?”

Percival’s lips curved subtly as he said, “Sounds good.”

…

In a quaint village in the suburbs of Rivenwood.

Rowan and Ismene had been masquerading as locals, too scared to show their faces.

They feared not only Vivienne and Percival.

Just the name Mr. B was enough to send shivers down their spines.

Their betrayal of the organization was no secret now. If found, they were as good as dead.

They managed a farmhouse turned bed-and-breakfast, frequented by those seeking the rustic charm of

country living, basically hiding in plain sight. Who would suspect that these simple farmers were

assassins trained by GTO?

A sleek black SUV pulled up to the farmhouse, a reservation made days in advance.

Donning simple clothes and a straw hat, Rowan approached with a basket of apples.

“Mr. Brooks, I presume,” Rowan said, sizing up the man before him.

Indeed, it was the missing patriarch of the Brooks family, Scott.

Although in hiding, Rowan and Ismene kept abreast of city affairs – one must always be ready to flee at

a moment’s notice.

However, to their surprise, the recent bed-and-breakfast booking was from Scott.

Scott smiled, the epitome of elegance in his black trench coat and finely tailored suit, which only

accentuated his gentle demeanor.

“Yes, I called a few days ago,” Scott said, his voice as soothing as a spring breeze.

Rowan’s guard lowered. Scott was head of the Brooks family. After some digging, Rowan knew the

Brooks family did not possess the potion. Even if they did, they were enemies of the organization, not a

direct threat.

Ismene emerged from the house, clad in a floral blouse typical of the village women, fan in hand, and

offered a naive smile, “Mr. Brooks, your room is ready. Shall we head to the beach for some fishing

afterward?”

Scott nodded and followed Rowan inside.

But as he reached the doorstep, his stride halted abruptly.

“The air is quite fresh here.”

“Yes, typical for the village,” Rowan replied with a chuckle.

Scott turned, his eyes darkening as he slowly said, “I wonder how easy it is to die here.”

Rowan froze, his hand already reaching into the basket, but before he could draw his weapon, Scott

had pulled the trigger.

A muffled gunshot rang out; Rowan’s shoulder bled profusely, though he managed to dodge in time.

Realizing the situation, Ismene flicked her fan, revealing a sharp dagger at its edge, and lunged at

Scott.

The next moment, Scott kicked her away, firing two shots.

Ismene fell, legs flailing, unable to stand.

Scott settled into a wicker chair in the yard, meticulously cleaning his gun.

“Thought you could ambush me? Forgotten who trained you in stealth?”

To join GTO, one had to be skilled not just in ability but also in the art of killing.

Rowan gaped at Scott, “You… You’re Mr. B!”

Scott aimed his gun squarely at Rowan’s forehead, saying, “There’s no need to dirty Mr. B’s hands to

kill you.”

Rowan was shocked, then realized they had been duped; they had not met Mr. B but his double!

Suddenly, Scott’s gaze turned fierce, “There’s only one fate for traitors—death!”

Bang!

Rowan braced for the end; Ismene trembled in fear.

But to their surprise, it was Scott who was hit!

Vivienne strolled in with a gun and a mocking smile. “Mr. Brooks, long time no see.”

Scott, clutching his hand where the bullet had passed through, was now defenseless.

“How did you find me?” He asked coldly.

Vivienne twirled the gun in her hand, then stashed it in Percival’s pocket. She preferred her needles;

guns had too much kickback.

She approached Scott, looking down on him with disdain. “Who do you think tipped you off about their

hideout?”

Scott was taken aback.

Vivienne had been fishing, and he was the fish!

The yard filled with officers in a flash; Rowan and Ismene were escorted out as everyone cornered

Scott in the yard.

Scott scoffed, eyes on Vivienne. “The issues between father and daughter, we’ll settle ourselves.”

Vivienne glared at Scott, not veiling her contempt, “Mr. Brooks, do you really think there’s anything

about you that my mother could possibly admire?”

A pang of pain struck Scott’s heart.

Indeed!

Karen never cared for him.

Vivienne’s smile was radiant yet filled with hatred, like a knife twisting into an invulnerable heart,

sprinkling coarse salt on the wounds. “I was never your daughter. Didn’t you always know?”

Scott clenched his teeth.

He had not expected Vivienne to so ruthlessly tear away his illusions, revealing the raw scars beneath,

then rub salt into them.

“I know,” Scott raised his gun again, aiming at Vivienne, “I’ve always known you were never my

daughter.”

Percival stepped in front of Vivienne, his cold gaze fixed on Scott.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated

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Vivienne shoved Percival aside, her voice tinged with exasperation as he said, “What’s the fun in lying

to yourself, huh?”

Scott let out a hollow laugh. “Vivienne, you’re the spitting image of your mother.”

Just then, Scott squeezed the trigger. Percival lunged at Vivienne, shielding her, but the anticipated

gunshot never came.

Instead, with a loud bang, smoke erupted in the yard, quickly followed by the roar of an engine kicking

to life.

Percival’s brows furrowed. “After him!”

They all dashed out of the yard, hot on the heels of the fleeing SUV.

Percival aimed at the tires and fired three shots. The vehicle swerved wildly, and then, losing control, it

plunged into the ocean ahead, sinking rapidly into the depths.

Percival and Vivienne reached the shoreline, staring at the now tranquil sea.

Taking a deep breath, Percival’s handsome face twisted with a fierce resolve. “Dive and find him. We

need him alive or confirmation he’s dead.”

His expression was darker than a storm cloud. Even with Vanguard Agency’s tight security, Scott had

slipped through their fingers.

This was a direct challenge to the Agency.

Had it not been for the risk of Vivienne getting caught in the line of fire, he would never have given

Scott the chance to escape.