The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 11

**At The Sterling Room.**

"Mr. Carmichael, welcome!"

Manager Larkin hurried over at a brisk trot, his attitude nothing short of reverent.

His eyes immediately landed on the person standing behind Raymond. The girl was strikingly beautiful-so much so that Larkin couldn't help but steal a few extra glances before catching himself. Realizing his lapse in professionalism, he quickly lowered his gaze and pretended not to have noticed.

President Carmichael had never brought a woman here before, and with how at ease the girl seemed, Larkin couldn't help but speculate about their relationship.

Raymond, catching the direction of his thoughts, shot him a cold glance and offered a rare explanation. "She's my daughter."

Larkin nearly broke into a cold sweat as he realized his mistake. Desperate to recover, he blurted out, "Of course, I should have known. She takes after you so much, Mr. Carmichael."

Mortified by his earlier assumptions, he felt his nerves fray, completely unaware that a sheen of sweat had appeared on his brow.

Luckily, Raymond seemed disinterested in making a scene.

Citrine shot Raymond a surprised look. She hadn't expected him to acknowledge her as his daughter in front of others.

Larkin quickly turned to her and apologized, "Ms. Carmichael, I'm terribly sorry for my rudeness just now."

replied with a polite

understood Larkin hadn't meant any

best view in the house, Larkin quietly excused

wonder The Sterling Room was the most

other, both a little awkward, as if neither could quite believe they were here together. No one would have guessed that the same two who had exchanged such sharp words at their first meeting

you'd like," Raymond said naturally, sliding the menu toward

and made a

she said, passing the menu back

then looked up at her. "That's all you

nodded, a little

No

added a few meat dishes to the order himself before handing the menu

sticking only to the vegetables, never

he said, and

the meat, her stomach churning. She hesitated but steeled herself to take small, polite bites, forcing it

was known for their strict table manners, and Raymond never spoke while eating.

seemed to carry the grace and restraint of old aristocracy-elegant, dignified, almost mesmerizing to watch. With both of them being exceptionally good-looking, it was no surprise they attracted more than a few curious

tranquility

Sawyer, accompanied by Norton, strode in, immediately spotting a familiar face.

she suddenly felt full. Their presence