The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 41

"It would make sense for me to be angry," Raymond said mildly.

But he didn't look the least bit angry.

Citrine searched his face, trying to find any trace of impatience or irritation, but there was nothing just his usual calm.

Before she could dwell on it, Raymond continued, "You shouldn't let yourself get hurt."

"That's why you're mad?" Citrine paused, tilting her head and staring at Raymond with wide, unblinking eyes, clearly baffled.

"What else?" Raymond suddenly smiled.

Citrine opened her mouth to reply but didn't say anything. Instead, a strange feeling crept into her chest-something she'd never experienced before. It unsettled her, and instinctively, she tried to push it away.

After they got home from school, Sawyer called Clifford into his study.

"Kneel," Sawyer said, his voice cold and sharp, dropping several degrees. "Dad..." Clifford had never seen his father this furious before. He'd always been a little afraid of Sawyer, and now, almost reflexively, he dropped to his knees.

"Why did you hit your sister?" Sawyer's mind flashed to the blood he'd seen on Citrine's face earlier that day, and a wave of frustration crashed over him.

down, he had a sinking feeling that his daughter was drifting further and further away from

That thought terrified Sawyer.

looked up, stunned, and protested, "Dad, it's because she stole first

gaze suddenly razor-sharp. "Clifford, are

knew Citrine

He scoffed stubbornly, "She's not my sister. Jeanette is

fists clenched, and he couldn't

explained everything. Deep

why did he have to say

couldn't answer

icy voice broke the silence, freezing Clifford in place, draining all color

lay a hand on Citrine again, don't expect me to show you any mercy-father or

school, the principal personally recorded a statement for the school's website the next day, clearing Citrine's name. He even uploaded scans of all her monthly exam papers from

see.

the most stubborn

the bottom of the class before, but her test papers were more impressive than those of

the time to look could see it: she only ever answered the hardest questions, ignoring the easy ones completely. And the problems she solved? Even the