The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 27

Raymond arrived at the police station, and the officers didn't waste a second before filling him in on everything that had happened.

Even though he'd steeled himself for bad news, his heart still skipped a beat when he heard just how bold Citrine had been-marching over here all by herself. He almost scolded her on the spot, but the moment he caught sight of her, the words died on his lips.

Johnnie barely reacted when he heard someone come in, but when he realized who it was, all the arrogance drained from his face. Instead, his expression shifted, cycling rapidly through surprise, panic, and dread.

Why on earth was Raymond Carmichael here?

In Havencrest, you could pick a fight with almost anyone-but if you messed with Raymond, you were asking for disaster.

What was his connection to this penniless girl?

Forcing a strained smile, Johnnie's nerves were on edge as he glanced at Raymond and asked, "President Carmichael, what brings you here?"

Raymond's reply was ice-cold. "It seems Mr. Chase thought he could bully my daughter. How could I not show up?"

Both Johnnie and Alicia turned pale at once.

"Citrine is your daughter?" Alicia blurted out, her voice trembling.

before, so she knew exactly who he was. But

raised quite the daughter, Mr. Chase. Or would you like me to show you

He spun around and slapped Alicia hard

turned back to Raymond. "President Carmichael, this is all just a misunderstanding. Kids fooling around, that's

a look.

pride, Alicia lowered

didn't even look at her. She knew Alicia's apology meant nothing-it wasn't remorse, just a recognition that the Chase family was no match for the

it as clearly as Citrine did. He snorted in disdain and dismissed them both with a wave, not deigning to waste another

Johnnie snapped, his frustration boiling over as he watched

stinging cheek, fighting back tears, but she

business had taken a nosedive in recent years; they couldn't afford another

he dropped to his knees in front of Citrine, his gaze

daughter's mistake. Please, I'm begging you—ask your father

Citrine too. If she wanted to show mercy, he wouldn't

suffocating. Then

"No."

right after she'd graduated high school, the Chase family had been exposed