The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 32

Everyone assumed it was Citrine who started the fire-that she'd tried to kill Jeanette.

Overnight, she became the Iverson family's pariah.

Later, when she went back to school, Citrine sought out Alicia, and Alicia promised she'd come to the house that night to testify on her behalf.

That evening, Citrine was in high spirits; finally, she would clear her name. But reality was cruel.

The girl who once stood by her side through everything-Alicia-pointed at her and said, word by word, "It was her. She's the one who tried to burn Jeanette alive."

The last light in Citrine's eyes flickered out.

From that moment on, she lost her left ear-and her best friend.

Citrine pulled herself out of the memory.

Suddenly, she laughed.

tinged with bitterness. Betrayal was the one thing

pressed on, "So this is why you're taking revenge on me?" Citrine shook her head. "The Chase family brought this on

Group Holdings, acquiring everything

only interested in what the

already knew the

all, Citrine had once risked her life

not have done the same. Citrine didn't hesitate for a second; she crushed Alicia's hope without mercy. "No. I'm not

a bitter, broken smile. In that moment, regret washed over

Now, she was afraid if she didn't say it, she'd never get another chance. "I'm sorry."

Citrine. Over time, that guilt twisted into

hated that Citrine ended their friendship

her, made her pick

became more like the rest of the

back now, the kind, gentle girl she'd once been seemed

far-there

didn't mean to

lie to protect her, if I crossed the Iversons,