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 thing she despised

taking revenge on me?" Citrine shook her head. "The Chase family brought this on themselves. Their downfall

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

interested in what

trembled. She already knew the answer, but saying it aloud, she couldn't help but hope-just a

had once risked her life

done the same. Citrine didn't hesitate for a second; she crushed Alicia's hope without mercy. "No. I'm not letting go

smile. In that moment,

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

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

hated that Citrine ended their friendship

festered, warped her, made her pick

like the rest of the

back now, the kind, gentle girl she'd

had come this far-there was nothing left to

didn't mean to lie back

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 the family. He'd let his mistress and