The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 63

Carlotta sat frozen for a long moment in the café, her coffee growing cold between her hands.

She couldn't quite make sense of what had just happened-how those two people's attitudes had shifted so completely after a single phone call. But if there was one thing Carlotta was sure of from their behavior, it was this: that high schooler really was the CEO of CICI Group.

It was hard to wrap her mind around the idea that her future boss might be someone who hadn't even graduated yet. But then Carlotta thought of her brother, lying in that hospital bed, and she steeled herself, hurrying out after them.

"Wait!" she called out, her voice rising in desperation as she saw Citrine already striding away down the street.

The winter chill in Havencrest had been unrelenting lately. Citrine hadn't put in her hearing aids-the metal always felt too cold against her skin-so it took Carlotta calling out several times before she finally stopped and turned around.

When Citrine paused, Carlotta jogged to catch up, her breath coming out in frosty clouds.

"I want to join CICI Group," Carlotta said, skipping any pleasantries. "You haven't interviewed me yet."

stayed quiet, and that had left a good impression. She

she didn't have much time, Citrine decided to

a few years working for a small tech company, so she had some experience. The questions Citrine asked covered a range of topics, and Carlotta managed to answer most of them—at least in

ask about the usual assistant duties, but to her surprise, Citrine delved into advanced topics- questions about robotics,

answer.

her shortcomings. Instead, she patiently explained the concepts, making

impromptu interview, Carlotta was fidgeting nervously, rubbing her fingers together

smile breaking across her face. "Come to CICI Group

breaking through after a storm. For a moment, Carlotta's years of bottled-up tension seemed

presence —but Carlotta found herself blurting out

it be possible to get an advance on my salary?" she asked, cheeks flushing. "If not, it's

expression grew serious. "Is it urgent?" she asked

from those steady,