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.

hate you?" she said, her voice tinged with bitterness. Betrayal was the

her head. "The Chase family brought this on themselves. Their downfall is their own doing-it has

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

interested in what the Chase family

Alicia's voice trembled. She already knew the answer, but saying it aloud,

all, Citrine had once risked

knew, deep down, even her own parents might not have done the same. Citrine didn't hesitate for

a bitter, broken smile. In that

years, she'd owed Citrine an apology. Now, she was afraid if she didn't say it, she'd never get another chance. "I'm sorry." The words came out years

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

ended their friendship because

her, made her pick fights, bully and provoke

bit, she became more like the

kind, gentle girl

this far-there was

didn't mean to lie back

lie to protect her, if I crossed the Iversons, he'd throw Mom and me out