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.

said, her voice tinged with bitterness. Betrayal was the one

me?" Citrine shook her head. "The Chase

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

in what the Chase family

there any way to save my family?" Alicia's voice trembled. She already knew the answer, but saying it aloud, she couldn't

risked her

deep down, even her own parents might not have done the same. Citrine didn't hesitate for a second; she crushed Alicia's hope without mercy. "No. I'm not

smile. In that moment, regret washed over

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

gnawed at her every time she saw Citrine. Over time, that guilt twisted into something darker. She started to resent Citrine for

Citrine ended their friendship because of what

hatred festered, warped her, made her pick fights, bully and

became more like the rest of

gentle girl she'd

had come this far-there was nothing

mean to

for Citrine. "My dad forced me. He said Jeanette was the real Iverson heiress, and if I didn't lie to protect her, if I crossed the Iversons, he'd