The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 6

There was a heavy silence, stretching on for what felt like forever.

Suddenly, an idea flickered in her eyes, steely and resolute. "You might not believe me," she said, "but the Carmichael family might."

"You're threatening me?" Raymond let out a short, incredulous laugh.

In all his thirty-some years, no one had ever dared to threaten him—least of all a scrawny slip of a girl.

But Raymond knew his father, Weston Carmichael, valued profit above all. The elder Carmichael was obsessed with the medical robotics project, and whether or not there was a blood tie, just that project alone would make the old man keep this girl around.

She'd clearly done her homework on the Carmichael family before coming here. Raymond studied the child before him, his gaze darkening. Clever kid.

Adler, standing nearby, barely dared to breathe. He'd never seen anyone so reckless as to threaten President Carmichael-especially not a child.

He could only hope his boss would show her some mercy.

"So what if I am threatening you?" Citrine didn't bother to deny it. She knew she wasn't above using whatever means she had.

Her childhood had taught her: you only survived if you fought with everything you had.

Those clear eyes locked onto him, and a sharp, unbidden pain twisted in Raymond's chest. The feeling—so out of his control-irritated him.

His chest had been hurting a lot lately. He'd even gone to the hospital several times, but the doctors could never find anything wrong.

He grew impatient. "Do you have any idea what happens to people who cross me?"

want to live,

to a fight with a

the downpour, Citrine stared at the well-dressed man under his umbrella, suddenly all

If Raymond wanted her

life was as insignificant as

child!" she shouted

home, Citrine turned and strode into the pouring rain,

and now this final rejection,

downpour, Raymond's chest seized with

desperate eyes of the girl in his dreams blurred together with the

glanced after her, unable to hide his sympathy. "Sir... are you really just going

winced, fighting the pain, and frowned. "What else am I supposed

help but mutter, "It's late, she could get into trouble out there..." Raymond hesitated, then waved a hand, his voice oddly strained. "Fine. Go after

store after leaving. She sat there,

her snapped her

would like

recognized the

her back? Was Raymond actually afraid

followed Adler to the sleek black limousine waiting

looking pale and

gaze, Raymond turned to look

the first thing he noticed wasn't the stubborn set of her jaw;

a stabbing pain shot through his chest. Before he could think,

her voice flat as she shrugged. Whether she truly didn't