Chapter 5

After leaving, Citrine dragged her suitcase straight to The Carmichael Group.

In her previous life, she'd only learned by accident-from Aline's slip of the tongue -that her biological father was Raymond Carmichael. But by then, she'd lost all hope for family ties and had never even considered seeking him out.

But now, she was still underage. She needed a legal guardian.

Security at The Carmichael Group was notoriously tight. Without an appointment, there was no way inside. Citrine knew this all too well, so she simply settled herself outside the entrance to wait.

Dusk deepened, and the city lights flickered on.

At first, the security guards on shift tried to shoo her away. But after noticing the quiet, stubborn way she just sat there, they eventually gave up.

Citrine stared blankly at the steady stream of people coming and going, lost in thought.

Suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream shattered the night, followed by a heavy thud that snapped Citrine out of her daze.

"Mr. Carmichael, please, I'm sorry! Have mercy, I was forced into this. If I didn't hand over the project files, they said they'd kill my son!"

A middle-aged man was sprawled on the floor, groveling and bowing so desperately that blood from his forehead stained the marble tiles.

"Mr. Easton, what are you talking about? When have I ever made things difficult for you?" The man in front of him-Raymond Carmichael-let a cold, faint smile play at the edges of his lips, never reaching his eyes.

"Mr. Carmichael, I'm begging you. I know I was wrong. I'll do anything to make it up-even die, if that's what it takes. Just... please, spare my family," Easton pleaded, still on his knees.

Raymond's heart

and die," he said

insect. "You should have thought

desperation. "Raymond, you're a monster! You'll

hint of emotion, waving a hand dismissively.

command, the

couldn't help but

magazines. Raymond Carmichael was more striking than any actor she'd ever seen, even at thirty-seven, without a single mark of age marring

his tall, imposing figure. Steeling herself,

young voice still holding a trace of

share of pretty girls, but the

no matter how lovely, he still couldn't stand

frowned and his voice was

straight in the eye, her tone flat as she introduced herself: "My name is

last two words made Raymond's expression darken; something

con artist,

been

lying. I really am your daughter. If you want, you

off. Those eyes... they looked strangely familiar, as if he'd seen

masked his reaction, his gaze

his eyes was like a blade, cutting straight through Citrine's heart. The glimmer

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