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?"

to live, get lost.

wasn't about to stoop to

point. Standing alone in the downpour, Citrine stared at the well-dressed man

had nothing. If Raymond wanted her

life was as insignificant as an

child!" she shouted at him, her voice trembling with

Citrine turned and strode into the pouring rain, her shoulders squared with stubborn

of accusations and now this final

her thin figure disappeared into the downpour, Raymond's chest seized with pain worse

desperate eyes of the girl in his dreams blurred together

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

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

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

convenience store after leaving. She sat there, watching the ebb

snapped her

Carmichael would like to

memory was sharp-she recognized

was taking her back? Was

Adler to the sleek

pale and drawn. Citrine glanced at him, then quickly looked

her gaze, Raymond turned to

first thing he noticed wasn't the stubborn set of her jaw; it was the discreet black hearing aid in her

through his chest. Before he could think,

replied, her voice flat as she