The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 52

Here's a culturally localized, novel-style adaptation for Western readers:

At the top of the staircase, Citrine and Jeanette faced off, tension crackling in the air between them.

"Citrine, you'd better mind your own business," Jeanette said, arms crossed and voice sharp. Gone was the fragile, demure persona she'd worn at school-in its place stood a woman radiating raw hostility.

Citrine, by contrast, remained remarkably calm. Her only response was a slight furrow of her brow. "You shouldn't be pushing Dad to invest in Dick Glenwood's venture," she said quietly.

Jeanette grew more agitated at Citrine's composure. She raised her voice, practically shouting, "Citrine, I'm the real Iverson heiress. Who do you think you are, acting like you have any say in this?"

Her face twisted with rage, taking on an almost grotesque, frightening cast.

Citrine's eyes turned cold. "Whatever you do is your business, but you have no right to drag Dad into it. He's exhausted as it is. Do you even know how many people have lost everything because of Dick's schemes? Some families have been ruined. I won't stand by and watch you ruin Dad too."

Jeanette arched an eyebrow, a sneer curling her lips. "He's my father, Citrine. Who do you think he'll listen to me, or you?"

that moment, she looked like something out

Citrine's hand flew up, delivering a sharp slap across Jeanette's face. "Jeanette, try acting like a human being for once. If you dare use Dad for your own ends again, I won't let it

the words left Citrine's mouth than Jeanette grabbed Citrine's wrist, pressed it to her own chest, and with a sudden, violent motion, hurled herself down the

barely processing what had happened when a cold, furious voice cut through the shock from the

The video ended there.

clip was posted online,

a

such a drama queen-how fake

over the real daughter's

willing to stoop to anything." "Even their

video, her own father calls Citrine a monster.

out the truth before blaming Citrine. That's just cruel; she

Citrine fifty

rich folks who drop six figures on a single