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.

she said, her voice tinged with

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

hated Alicia, but taking down Chase Group Holdings, acquiring everything they owned-none of that had anything to do with

what the

trembled. She already knew the answer, but saying it aloud,

all, Citrine had once risked her life to protect

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

smile. In that moment, regret

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

her every time she saw Citrine. Over time, that guilt twisted into something darker. She

hated that Citrine ended their friendship

made her pick fights, bully and provoke Citrine at

like the rest of the Chase

back now, the kind, gentle girl she'd

this far-there was nothing

to lie

heiress, and if I didn't lie to protect her,