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 people only

the wildest stories wouldn't dare take it

Amelia suddenly reached a

were just born

a sip of water and sputtered it

Amelia a serious look. "Why

abroad, Citrine could barely afford to eat. Did that sound

"Think about it! The Iversons, who adopted you, are old money. Your biological dad is from a family with even more influence. If that doesn't prove

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

Citrine's eyes turned somber.

far away,

money, she never had enough.

Iversons might have been wealthy, but that wasn't her money to spend.

was little more than a stray they

dog eat a meal for

bring herself to trust them completely,

she could only rely on herself. The only real security was having enough money and power in her own

*

Citrine packed her things and stepped out of the

then told Amelia to