The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Hearing Sebastian's words, Citrine felt a jolt inside her, her heart skipping almost imperceptibly.

"Your mother... is she...?" she asked hesitantly.

Sebastian pressed his lips together, forcing a bitter smile. "She's gone."

"I'm sorry," Citrine murmured, her gaze dropping to the floor. It took her a long moment to find her voice.

A wave of regret washed over her. She realized she shouldn't have been so impulsive—his mother was clearly a wound that hadn't healed.

She was aware of her own manipulation, just as she knew that, in the beginning, Sebastian had approached her with his own agenda. In truth, she had no right to question him.

Sebastian hadn't expected her apology. He quickly composed himself, managing a smile. “You don't have to apologize. I was the one who approached you with an ulterior motive."noveldrama

That guilt had weighed on him ever since. So even after he realized she was using his feelings, he'd accepted it, almost willingly.

Citrine had thought her heart was hardened enough, but hearing the real reason Sebastian first sought her out, she felt herself relent.

If she'd never learned the truth, perhaps she could have continued exploiting his affection without remorse-after all, he hadn't been innocent either.

But he'd only done what he did to save his mother. Now she couldn't find it in herself to keep taking advantage of him.

After a long silence, Citrine finally spoke, her voice quieter than before. "I'm sorry.

I shouldn't have used your feelings like that."

This apology came from the deepest part of her heart.

Sebastian's heart lurched-not with relief, but with a strange unease that settled in his chest.

He opened his mouth, trying to reply, but before he could say anything, Citrine spoke again. "You should go to HR and finalize the paperwork."

Sebastian's expression darkened instantly.

"Wait... what do you mean? Are you firing me?"

He had never imagined he'd see the day when he'd actually be dismissed.

Citrine watched him for a long moment, her tone sincere. "I recruited you to CICI Group for my own reasons. When I invited you, took advantage of your feelings, and because you had your own motives, I never felt guilty about any of it. But now that I know you did it all for your mother, I can't, in good conscience, keep using you."

She pressed her lips together, her voice calm as her eyes met his. "You should go. This is your time to

shine-SC Group is about to go

public. That's where you belong right

now."

Sebastian was momentarily at a loss. A wave of fear crashed over him, leaving

him almost breathless.

He managed a strained smile. "I refuse."

"Why?" Citrine looked up at him, surprised.

With SC Group on the verge of its IPO, what reason could he possibly have to

turn this down? Was he really so blinded by his feelings?

Even Citrine found herself unable to make sense of Sebastian's thinking.

Sebastian's gaze was steady, his voice low after a long pause. "Joining CICI Group was my choice. It had nothing to do with you. If you want to use me, go ahead. Like before."

Citrine blinked, surprise flickering in her eyes.

She was about to speak when Sebastian continued, "Besides, don't you still want to deal with Stellaris Group?"

His eyes lit up with determination. "I've already gotten a good handle on their operations. I can help you."

Citrine pressed her lips together, considering. "Stellaris Group's power isn't something that can be toppled overnight. There's no rush."

Sebastian's composure cracked, his emotions spilling over. "How can you say there's no rush?"

God knows how it tore him apart when he heard that the CEO of Stellaris Group had thrown Citrine into a tank of piranhas. All he wanted in that moment was to tear that man limb from limb.