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.

her voice tinged with bitterness. Betrayal was the one

taking revenge on me?" Citrine shook her head. "The Chase family

taking down Chase Group Holdings, acquiring everything they

was only interested in what the Chase family was

knew the answer, but saying it aloud, she couldn't help but

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.

smile. In that moment, regret washed

years, she'd owed Citrine an apology. Now, she was afraid if she didn't say it,

time, that guilt twisted into something darker. She started to resent Citrine for cutting her

ended their friendship because of

her, made her pick fights, bully and provoke Citrine

bit, she became more like the rest of the Chase

back now, the kind, gentle girl she'd once been seemed like

come this far-there

mean to lie

if I didn't lie to protect her, if I crossed the Iversons, he'd throw Mom and me out of the family. He'd let his mistress