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 one thing

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

but taking down Chase Group Holdings, acquiring everything

what the

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

Citrine had once risked her life

hesitate

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

if she didn't say it, she'd

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

that Citrine ended their friendship because of

pick fights, bully and provoke Citrine at every

more like

now, the kind, gentle girl she'd

this far-there was nothing left to

to lie back

out 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 throw Mom and me out of