The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 48

Citrine glanced at Weston coolly, her thoughts drifting unexpectedly to her own father.

She mused to herself, *My old man's still the best-at least he's actually likable.*

Weston, sensing a pair of eyes on him from across the room, turned and met Citrine's gaze head-on. Her eyes were steady, showing not even a hint of fear.

Most of the younger Carmichaels treated Weston like mice confronted by a cat; even Raymond, back when he was a teenager, had always been more than a little intimidated by his father.

But here was a girl, bold as brass, standing her ground without so much as flinching. Weston felt a rare flicker of interest.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Citrine Carmichael." Citrine looked him straight in the eye, her tone poised and unflappable, every word and gesture perfectly composed-leaving no room for criticism.

"You're young, but your nerve is impressive," Weston remarked, his voice unreadable—somewhere between a compliment and a put-down.

Citrine gave a small, easy smile and replied without missing a beat, "You flatter me. I suppose I do all right."

Weston's eyes narrowed.

knew he didn't mean it as praise-she was being

as if she hadn't noticed at all, turning his words back on him and leaving him

are you attending now?" Weston

"Havencrest Preparatory Academy."

"And your grades?"

precious few ever measured up. Now, as he scrutinized the young woman before him, his

out of his voice. He'd grown up being treated like Weston's assistant, and it rubbed him the wrong way to hear his father interrogate Citrine like

say more, but Citrine spoke up first, her voice clear and just a touch

her chin,

for once, at a

of his hand, he glanced at Raymond, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Your daughter's quite something, isn't

tempted, but with so many eyes on them, he

Raymond led

I try?* Citrine wondered, her gaze drifting over the assorted cakes and

her expression. He handed her a