The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 21

The Carmichael Group's conference room was shrouded in tense silence.

All the senior executives fixed their eyes on Raymond, who sat at the head of the table reviewing the proposal. No one even dared to breathe too loudly, each one secretly wishing they could crawl under the table and vanish-anything to avoid being the first in line for criticism.

For them, every meeting felt like a grueling ordeal.

After a long, uneasy pause, Raymond finally spoke. "Not bad."

At once, beads of sweat appeared on the foreheads of the department heads.

A few began to whisper nervously to each other.

"Did I hear that right? Did President Carmichael have too much to drink last night?"

"Did he just say 'not bad'?"

One executive wiped his brow, his anxiety deepening. "You don't get it. This is just the calm before the storm. Ever heard of 'the higher the praise, the harder the fall'? Brace yourself-he's about to tear our proposal to shreds."

Oblivious to the collective anxiety tightening in the room, Raymond glanced around, lowering his voice. "Well? Why are you still sitting here?"

"All proposals are approved. Meeting adjourned."

and strode out, leaving a

"God, am I dreaming?"

that really President Carmichael? Did I hear him

would you, Steve-I think

a new leaf, or someone's

office, Raymond found Citrine, headphones on, gaming with

face before and couldn't help but watch her for a moment longer,

meet a client. Not five minutes after he'd gone, the office door swung

click of high heels echoed closer and

until the newcomer yanked her power cable out. She pulled off her headphones, fixing her

white dress, her black hair cascading over her shoulders. She

do you think you're doing?" Citrine's good mood soured instantly, her expression turning

as a slap, and saw no reason to

a single flaw and finding none. The girl was stunning-flawless from head to toe- which only made Valerie's hatred and

your relationship with President Carmichael?" Valerie finally ventured, her tone

little

Citrine arched a brow, her eyes sparkling with

she'd

moment,