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."

her voice distant and flat, as if she were a porcelain doll— beautiful, cold, and on the verge

seen Citrine so resolute

to push her away, but the look in

Amelia felt she truly understood her. And her

just like she

ever pretend I don't know you?"

I'll see you

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

They were still friends.

"See you tomorrow."

been dwindling for years. When the Carmichael family abruptly announced they were cutting ties, rumors spread like wildfire. People speculated that the Chases must have seriously offended the Carmichaels, and one by one, their business partners began to

money back. The

he could think of, but nothing helped. He looked as if he'd aged

broke that Chase Group Holdings

chart listing every company whose work had

to the top of

another bombshell dropped:

happened to see the news at the

is now under your name," Ogden's voice boomed with