The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 29

Over the past few years, the rest of the Chase family's businesses had either floundered or failed outright. If it weren't for a handful of research breakthroughs barely keeping them afloat, they'd have found themselves locked out of high society entirely.

The Chase family had crushed countless small companies along the way. Many of those were powerless to fight back after the Chases stole their research, and more than a few ended up bankrupt-some even lost everything, families included.

Frankly, the Chase family had no one but themselves to blame for the mess they were in now.

Ogden, for his part, fully approved of his granddaughter's choices. As long as she stopped stubbornly doing favors for the Iversons, he'd support just about anything she did.

And just like that, within a matter of days, the Chase empire collapsed.

When Amelia heard the news, she couldn't have been more delighted.

But as juicy as this gossip was, something else left her even more stunned- Citrine's real identity.

It was only that night, when she ran into Raymond, that Amelia learned he was Citrine's biological father.

The daughter of the Carmichaels-one of the most powerful families in

Havencrest. Talk about an impressive pedigree.

Amelia never imagined she'd end up as best friends with someone who was, in

life, the kind of heiress

wouldn't dare take it

Amelia

you were just born for

just taken a sip of water

Amelia a serious look. "Why do

when she lived abroad, Citrine could barely afford to eat. Did that sound like a

"Think about it! The Iversons, who adopted you, are old money. Your biological dad is from a family

Citrine, you were made for good fortune. It's like fate just wants

Citrine's eyes turned somber.

far away, no matter how many

for money, she never had enough. Or

wealthy, but that wasn't her money

to them she was little more than a stray they

house. When Sawyer was around, Aline would let the family dog eat a meal for his sake. But

the Carmichaels-she couldn't bring herself to trust them

could only rely on herself.

*

Citrine packed her things and stepped out of the

the girl, then told Amelia to go on