The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 7

Citrine observed her surroundings in silence, careful not to let her expression betray a single thought.

Raymond's villa was a study in gray and white-minimalist, elegant, and yet, unmistakably opulent. Every piece of furniture and décor looked like it belonged in a museum rather than a home, and the few scattered objects on the table were arranged so deliberately that it was hard to imagine anyone actually lived here.

"Pick any room you like upstairs," Raymond said, gesturing vaguely toward the staircase. "If you need anything, ask Butler Ismael or Adler." It was clear he had no intention of getting personally involved in raising a child.

"Thank you," Citrine replied quietly, polite and reserved as she trailed behind him.

She knew better than to expect any father-daughter closeness between them. That just wasn't in the cards.

But she didn't resent Raymond. In truth, she was simply using him as a way out of the Iverson family, nothing more.

After a few brief instructions, Raymond left with Adler in tow.

The DNA test had confirmed it-she was his biological daughter. But that didn't mean there weren't other forces at play behind her sudden appearance.

As he considered this, a cold, calculating glint flickered across Raymond's face. "Adler, look into that girl," he ordered.

Adler's stomach tightened. He hesitated, then ventured, "Sir, she's your own daughter. Aren't you being a little... too cautious?" Maybe even too harsh. After all, she was just a teenage girl-innocent at that age.

"Are you questioning my judgment?" Raymond shot him a razor-sharp look, pure warning in his eyes.

Adler nearly forgot to breathe. "Of course not, sir." He didn't dare argue further.

up the moment the words left his mouth. No one

really must have lost

out," Raymond said, his voice growing even colder as

wiped the sweat from his brow and hurried out

***

Grandeur Waters Residences.

a storm was brewing elsewhere because

household was usually quiet, but Butler Ismael was genuinely pleased that his employer had finally brought home his own daughter. And with good reason—the girl was so endearing that Ismael's

come to me," he

offhandedly, "Do you know when

to be away for months at a time. After a moment's thought, he replied,

quickly, "But if you ever miss him, you

recited the number

it, but seeing Ismael's

number for a good ten minutes before finally deciding not to save it in

***

sat in his office,

serious than ever. He'd never

this

he confirmed. "Whenever I see her upset, the sensation in my

your condition might be

I only found out about her