The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 64

Citrine agreed without a second thought.

"I'll let HR know, and just so you're aware, our company has an employee assistance program. If an employee or their family gets sick, or someone's expecting a baby, or there's any kind of family emergency, you can always apply for support from us."

"Thank you, Miss Carmichael." Carlotta's eyes filled with tears instantly, and before she could stop herself, they spilled over-like pearls slipping off a broken string.

All these years, no matter how hard things got, she'd never shed a single tear. But now, faced with such genuine kindness, Carlotta simply couldn't hold it in.

Citrine saw her crying and, for a moment, felt completely at a loss.

Awkwardly but sincerely, she reached out and dabbed at Carlotta's tears, trying to comfort her despite her lack of experience. "Don't worry, your brother's going to be okay. And if you need anything, just ask me. Really-anything at all."

"Thank you so much, Miss Carmichael." Carlotta could barely find the words.

"Please, call me Citrine. 'Miss Carmichael' makes me feel ancient," Citrine said with a wry smile, feeling like she'd aged ten years just hearing the title.

"Thank you, Citrine."

one of the rare, genuinely happy days in her life. Even the bleak days before seemed

class that afternoon, Citrine headed home. Raymond

the ordinary-she sat

talked-about blockbusters of the year. But

drift toward the front door, her

Carmichael?" Ismael had been quietly observing her, and

both adorable and stubborn-just

him," Citrine stammered, her expression a little

indulgently. "Of course, of course.

Citrine: "..."

courage, she finally asked, "Ismael, why hasn't Raymond

hated to admit it, she had to face the strange emptiness

the ways Raymond had been good to her, a sour ache

without saying goodbye, Raymond

realization hit her

Weston was his father, and she'd embarrassed the old man. Raymond

it, the more convinced she