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.

voice tinged with bitterness. Betrayal

revenge on me?" Citrine shook her head. "The Chase family brought this on themselves. Their downfall is their own doing-it has nothing to

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

only interested in what the Chase

family?" Alicia's voice trembled. She already knew the answer, but saying it

had once risked her life

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

broken smile. In

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

Over time, that guilt twisted into something darker. She started to resent

that Citrine ended their

pick fights, bully and provoke Citrine at every

became more like the rest

back now, the kind, gentle girl

had come this far-there was

didn't mean to lie back

He said Jeanette was the real Iverson heiress, and if I didn't lie to protect her, if