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.

words left his mouth. No

really must have lost

out," Raymond said, his voice growing

his brow and hurried out of the office as

***

Grandeur Waters Residences.

a storm was

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

need anything, Miss, please don't hesitate to come to me," he said warmly. Citrine sensed his kindness

"Do you know when Raymond-um, when my father

unpredictable; it wasn't unusual for him to be away for months at a time. After a moment's thought, he

on her face, he added quickly, "But if you ever miss him, you can always call.

the number for

seeing Ismael's

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

***

in

saying that after seeing your daughter, your heart symptoms have gotten worse?" Calvin, his private physician, looked more serious than ever. He'd never encountered anything quite like this before. All previous tests had shown

this loss of

see her upset, the sensation in my

condition might

out about her today,"