The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 22

"You probably don't get it, kid," Valerie said, barely keeping her anger in check as she cursed Citrine out a hundred different ways in her head. "I was handpicked by Mr. Carmichael himself. I'm not like everyone else here."

Citrine muttered under her breath, "Well, his judgment must be slipping, hiring someone like you."

"What did you just say?" Valerie's eyes narrowed; she was sure Citrine was talking smack.

"Nothing," Citrine replied, stifling a laugh. "So, what exactly makes you so special?"

Honestly, Citrine thought, bosses hiring staff was the most ordinary thing in the world. Who knew someone could spin that into a whole fantasy about marrying into wealth and power?

Before Valerie could answer, Citrine cut her off, "Don't tell me you actually think Raymond Carmichael would marry you and make you the lady of the house?"

Valerie's face flushed crimson. That thought had crossed her mind more than once, but having this brat voice it so bluntly left her feeling more than a little embarrassed.

"I" she started, trying to recover her composure.

But Citrine didn't let her finish. "You're delusional. Might want to get that checked out."

is a medical

she remained calm and even, but Valerie's face was a shifting palette of shock and rage; her

Valerie dropped

spat, her voice venomous. "What are you pretending for? Climbing

sly, seductive face-God knows how many men

be real pieces of work,

she could finish, a sharp slap landed across Valerie's cheek,

was she so

this girl would actually hit her. With that innocent face, Citrine always

lips in a warning, she said, "Keep mouthing off and I'll hit

a problem with her own

up-she had no intention of repeating that mistake.

throbbing cheek, was about to start hurling more insults when footsteps sounded in

down on

I was worried you'd distract Mr. Carmichael. Even if you didn't

lovely even when she cried, the kind of