The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 34

But Citrine had overtaken her with almost no effort at all-she'd scored more than twenty points higher, winning first place as if it were nothing.

Jeanette felt utterly humiliated as the runner-up. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Aline watched her daughter's furious expression, lost in thought for a moment.

Suddenly, old memories surfaced. Her voice grew cold as she asked, "Jeanette, do you remember why none of the other kids your age liked Citrine when you were little?"

Jeanette didn't think much of it-she scowled and spat out, "It's her own fault. She was always stealing the spotlight. No wonder she never had any friends."

Aline smiled faintly but said nothing.

Her Jeanette was still too young. Too innocent.

But Aline knew better.

Even as a child, Citrine had been shockingly smart. She taught herself how to solve math puzzles meant for much older students; by kindergarten, she was breezing through grade school material, and by grade school, she could handle middle school coursework without breaking a sweat.

could possibly like

the "idiot friend" standing next

rare emotional intelligence—a true prodigy. But prodigies are

simply fade into the

abilities these past six months, or whether her top score was just a fluke, one thing was certain: this girl couldn't be allowed to

her head in reassurance. "Don't worry, Jeanette. I'll take

remove anyone who

the time and said, "Alright, calm down. Don't let your

the mention of Sawyer, Jeanette did her best

she couldn't let

of bringing up the

smoking behind the gym, sneaking drinks, picking fights. He never cared

bottom of the sophomore class-just like him, always bringing

now, she'd somehow come in

on his food, barely managing to swallow before blurting out, "Wait...are you