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.

had a sinking feeling that his

That thought terrified Sawyer.

"Dad, it's because she stole first

narrowed, his gaze suddenly razor-sharp. "Clifford, are you really

knew Citrine hadn't

"She's not my sister. Jeanette is my

his fists clenched, and he couldn't

Deep down, Clifford

did he

couldn't answer that

silence, freezing Clifford in place, draining all color from

are laughably transparent. If you ever lay a hand on Citrine again, don't expect me

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

see.

that, even the most stubborn skeptics had

but

see it: she only ever answered the hardest questions, ignoring the easy ones completely. And the problems she solved? Even the former top