The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 20

Raymond no longer looked sickly; the pallor from his illness had vanished. As he rose from the couch, the cold, steely expression he was known for returned, though if you looked closely, there was a subtle warmth in his eyes-a softness that hadn't been there before.

"I'm much better now."

He hesitated, then added, "Thank you for taking care of me yesterday."

Raymond quickly averted his gaze, almost as if embarrassed by his own words. He never imagined himself saying something like that to anyone. What surprised him even more was that he'd lain awake all night the evening she didn't come home, unable to sleep, feeling the pull of concern for the first time in his life.

Citrine, on the other hand, looked a little uncomfortable. She paused, then managed, "It's... it's nothing."

On weekends, the house was quiet-no butler, no staff, no one to look after the child left alone at home. Raymond glanced at Citrine, a little uncertain. "Do you want to come to the office with me later?"

Citrine seemed lost in thought for a moment but then nodded quickly.

When she was a child, Sawyer used to take her to the office all the time. But ever since she'd returned from abroad six months ago, Sawyer's attitude had changed. He'd made it clear-more than once-that he didn't want her coming to the company. Even though, in Sawyer's eyes, she was just an adopted daughter and posed no real threat.

through, she realized the truth: Sawyer only saw Jeanette as the true heir of the Iverson family. Every cold shoulder was a warning-don't reach for what isn't yours; don't even think

Citrine walked beside Raymond through the gleaming lobby, she could feel eyes

Carmichael with a young woman by his

that girl

someone

like a real princess. Even the way she walks, you can

god, she looked right at me. I think

at Citrine with wide, sparkling

wolves eyeing

their scrutiny, but there

reached Raymond's office that the feeling

state-of-the-art computer, a sleek gaming chair, and a pair

eyes lit

Citrine studied hard and finished first in her grade. Sawyer had asked what she wanted as a reward, and she'd said she wanted a computer and some gaming gear for her room. At first, Sawyer had agreed. Later, though, he'd claimed the noise would disturb Jeanette's rest and told Citrine not to

that, she'd never asked Sawyer for anything