The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 28

As soon as she stepped out of the police station, Citrine was stopped at the entrance by Amelia.

"I'll wait for you in the car," Raymond said, casting a glance at Citrine. He headed to the parking lot, leaving the two women alone.

Now it was just the two of them standing by the entrance.

"It was your choice to get involved. I'm not going to apologize, and I don't feel guilty about it."

Citrine was the first to break the uneasy silence. She knew that after today, she was likely to lose this friend.

A restless irritation simmered in her chest, making her words come out sharper than she intended.

After a moment, she added, "I told you I'd have your back. The Chase family won't ever be a threat to you or your family. That much, I can promise."

Amelia's heart twisted with guilt. She hurried to reassure her, "Citrine, I never asked you to apologize. And there's no reason for you to feel guilty."

She had never blamed Citrine for any of it.

Citrine had always tried to help her, but her own family never appreciated it. In the end, for the sake of money, they signed the settlement papers. Now it was Amelia who felt she'd let Citrine down.

"From now on, just pretend you don't know me at school. I can't promise there won't be another family like the Chases who'll try to make things hard for you."

distant and flat, as if she were a porcelain doll— beautiful, cold,

never seen

to push her away, but the look in her eyes was

Amelia felt she truly understood her. And her heart

at her, just like she used

I don't know you?" she said,

I'll see

a beat, the distance in her eyes melting away. Genuine warmth spread across her face

They were still friends.

"See you tomorrow."

cutting ties, rumors spread like wildfire. People speculated that the Chases must have seriously offended the Carmichaels, and one

The entire Chase family business was thrown

every contact he could think of, but nothing helped. He looked as if

news broke that Chase Group Holdings had stolen

listing every company whose work

the top of the

dropped: Chase

news at

paperwork done-Chase Group Holdings is now under your name," Ogden's