The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 159

Ashley zipped her lips this time, her objective having been accomplished. With each word she had uttered, the countenance of the Brooks family members had darkened bit by bit. They had already considered the possibility that Arabella was after their fortune.

"When we sent out invitations announcing the wedding of Scott, the news of his wife, Karen's departure a day before the wedding left us flabbergasted." Timothy complained bitterly. "Our family became the laughing stock of all Rivenwood. It seems like mother like daughter."

"Dad." Timothy's son Ronald interjected, eyeing Scott's expression and halting his father from further comments.

Scott, with his hand supporting his temple, seemed to be lost in memories.

When Karen disappeared just before their wedding, all the Brooks were convinced she had betrayed him. However, he had always felt that wasn't the case.

He knew that when he rescued the severely injured Karen, her background was more impressive than he could have ever guessed. Even the Brooks' resources couldn't unearth her past.

Being the eldest son of the Brooks family, he was well-versed in the ways of the world. He knew not to involve himself with dangerous individuals.

Yet he fell in love with Karen. Despite her reluctance to discuss her past and the secrets she kept from him, he proposed to her.

And she left him without a word.

Why?

They loved each other so much. She was even pregnant with his child.

Over the years, he never gave up searching for Karen. When the news of Arabella's existence reached him, he found out that Karen had been dead for many years. That day, he felt his heart shatter. Amid his grief, he was grateful that Karen left him their child.

He swore to treat their daughter well, to give her the best of everything, and to make her a princess to compensate for the nineteen years they lost.

But when he met Arabella for the first time, he felt distant, even when she obediently called him "Dad."

Something felt off.

Although Arabella was beautiful, there was hardly any resemblance between her, Karen, and him, except for her eyes, which bore a slight resemblance to Karen's. Especially after hearing about Arabella's scandals in Havenwood, he realized that she had ruined her reputation there before seeking refuge at Rivenwood.

He couldn't believe the news of the shameful acts committed by a high school girl could be his and Karen's daughter.

Karen was a noble and kind woman. It was impossible for her to raise such a child.

Hence, he ordered another round of paternity tests, suspecting that Beatrice had tampered with the results.

Unfortunately, the results disappointed him. Arabella was indeed his daughter.

"Enough." Judith cut in, halting their argument. "Since we've confirmed she's a Brooks, we can't let the rumors continue. Let's replace a way to salvage Arabella's reputation."

Ashley snorted disdainfully. If her high school was already abuzz with the news, how could they salvage her reputation?

But after this incident, she believed Arabella's image in the eyes of the Brooks had significantly deteriorated. When Arabella returned from Havenwood, she wouldn't be treated like a princess anymore. After thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel gleeful.

"Also, assign more people to locate Finnian." Judith suggested with a sigh. "Since he was the one who took the child away, we have to hear his side of the story."

She, too, didn't believe that Arabella was a Brooks. Given Finnian's character, he wouldn't raise Karen's daughter in such a manner. Even if he didn't raise her, he would have entrusted her to a trustworthy person.

"Don't worry, Mom." Scott nodded.

Even if Judith didn't mention it, he would replace Finnian to discover the truth about Karen's death. If she was murdered, he would avenge her.

"As for Arabella, let her stay in Havenwood for now," Judith decided. "She wanted to return there for her college entrance exam. By the time she's done, the scandal here will have died down."

She warned Scott. "Tell Tristan to keep a close eye on her. We can't afford more scandals."

Ashley burst out laughing. "Grandma, are you sure Tristan will keep an eye on her?"

She laughed, but her eyes showed her disgust.

Tristan was like a mad dog, always looking down on them, the pampered children of the Brooks family.

But when Arabella returned, he followed her around like a puppy, claiming he owed her a debt and was willing to go through hell and high water for her.

He even got Ashley into trouble several times while helping Arabella.

Judith was well aware of Tristan's excessive compliance with Arabella. After considering Ashley's comment, she turned to Scott, saying, "Maybe we should send someone to keep an eye on them?" "I'll take care of it." Scott said, massaging his forehead in obvious annoyance.

"Don't let your father hear about this." Judith sternly instructed. "He's been having some heart troubles, and the last thing he needs is stress."

Scott's father, Baron Brooks, known for his integrity, valued the Brooks family's reputation above all else. Arabella's antics were enough to make the Brooks the laughingstock of Rivenwood, ridiculed for welcoming such a badly behaved individual into their family.

If he found out, it was likely he would need to extend his stay at the health retreat.

"Understood."

There were no objections from the Brooks family; even Ashley nodded in agreement, though she doubted they could keep it from her grandfather for long.

Sure enough, Scott's cell phone rang just then. Everyone exchanged glances as Baron's name flashed on the screen.

Scott sighed softly and answered. "Hi Dad."

"What's going on with Arabella?" Baron's voice boomed through the speaker.

"How did you replace out?" Scott sounded defeated; he had made it clear that Baron was not to know.

"Hmph! You really thought you could keep it from me?!" Baron scoffed. "The old geezer from the Ellington family, Richard, showed up at the retreat today, pretending he wanted to play chess, but clearly he just wanted to tell me everything!"

Scott was speechless.

He was still wondering why Richard suddenly loved to gossip when Baron added sarcastically, "Don't you know? Arabella's foster sister is Percival's fiancée!"

Scott was speechless once again.

Well, they got themselves into trouble with someone's future daughter-in-law, so they could hardly complain.

Meanwhile, at Havenwood's Cloudcrest High School, Percival stood outside Classroom Eighteen, watching Vivienne as she managed the students' study plan for the remaining half of the month.

"Mr. Ellington, we've done some investigation." Thomas whispered to him, reporting the information his subordinates had gathered. "The daughter of the agent who went missing after a mission with 'Lark' is a senior at Cloudcrest High School. We don't know which class she's in yet."

Percival's eyes dimmed slightly as he scanned the students in Classroom Eighteen. He tilted his elegant chin, indicating Thomas to continue.

"I've checked the records of all the seniors, but the girl's records have been meticulously wiped. I couldn't replace anything." Thomas admitted. "Does the girl have any identifiable traits?" Percival asked with a hint of a frown on his face.