The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Sebastian's lips curled ever so slightly, a glint of open challenge flickering in his eyes.

Neither of them spoke, but tension simmered between their gazes like an unspoken duel.

Suddenly, Neville broke the silence. "Ms. Carmichael, we invited you here today to discuss a potential partnership. Your CICI Group is on fire these days-every major company in Crestwood is falling over themselves to join your Blood Rain initiative."

He offered a fawning smile. "Do you think there might be a place at the table for The Aldridge Group?"

Worried Citrine would refuse, Neville hurriedly added, "Ms. Carmichael, I promise, if The Aldridge Group is accepted into Blood Rain, we'll follow your lead in everything."

Quentin, listening to his father grovel, curled his lip in disgust and let out a cold snort.

Citrine hadn't said a word. Sebastian, sensing her mood, took the cue.

"If I remember correctly, the Aldridge family and the Glenwood family used to be close, didn't they? President Barrett, have you forgotten what the Glenwoods did?"

He let his voice rise, sharp and deliberate. “Or are you pretending not to know, President Barrett? Trying to get under our CEO's skin?"

"N-no, of course not." Neville rushed to defend himself.

"The Glenwoods' actions back then-we knew nothing about it, Ms. Carmichael. That was illegal-we'd never have been involved in something like that." He was desperate to distance himself from any connection.

Theo's face turned pale at the mention.

Suddenly, Citrine laughed, cold and clear. "Illegal? I'm surprised, President Barrett are you actually afraid of breaking the law?"

Her eyes locked onto Neville's, unwavering.

A chill crept up Neville's spine. For a fleeting moment, he was certain this nineteen-year-old girl could see right through him-see every dirty secret he'd tried to bury.

Did she know something?noveldrama

Racked with anxiety, Neville's mind raced. Then, remembering the trouble that had recently befallen Citrine, he latched onto an idea.

He beckoned to Theo. "Theo, come here."

Theo pressed his lips together, hesitating. But after all the help the Aldridge family had given him lately, he finally stood and came forward.

Neville smiled, patting Theo's back. "What the Glenwoods did to Ms. Carmichael was unacceptable. It caused her real harm. Theo, you should apologize to her."

“Dad, what are you saying? How can you make Theo apologize?"

Quentin's expression changed

instantly; he hadn't expected his

father to throw Theo under the bus

like this.

Theo had suffered enough already-Quentin couldn't bear to watch his friend humiliated further.

Neville shot Quentin a fierce glare. "Keep your mouth shut."

Theo dropped his eyes, a flicker of

bitter self-mockery passing through them. His voice was subdued.

"Quentin, let it go. Your father's right.

I owe her an apology."

He turned to Citrine. "Citrine, I'm sorry. What my family did in the past was wrong.

I apologize to you."

Citrine absently tapped her finger against the table, saying nothing.

A memory flashed across her mind-in her previous life, she'd slapped Jeanette Iverson right in

front of theo. He'd forced her to net

kneel and apologize to Jeanette, and made sure she received the same slap in return.

Back then, the humiliation had eaten away at her. Now, thinking of it, she felt nothing but contempt.

After a long pause, Citrine let out a short, dry laugh, her tone laced with irony. "Is that what you call an apology?"

She clicked her tongue in disdain. "Back too straight. Face too pale."

She gestured dismissively. "If you don't want to apologize, don't force yourself."