The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 110

Section Two.

Clifford watched from the back of the hall, his gaze drifting as Citrine stood on stage, radiant under the spotlight.

It was hard to believe how much she'd changed in just a few months.

He could still remember when Citrine was considered a nobody, clueless and unremarkable.

As Clifford drifted off in thought, someone nudged his arm.

"Hey, what's going on?" Laird asked, sounding irritated. "Didn't Jeanette swear she'd take first place this time? So why is Citrine still at the top?" Laird had always clashed with Citrine, and after watching her hog the spotlight for several contests in a row, he couldn't help but voice his frustration.

Clifford let out a sigh. "There's been some trouble with the Iverson family lately. Jeanette... well, she must've been distracted, that's why she didn't do her best."

Just thinking about the Iverson family's recent troubles brought a shadow to Clifford's face.

company's crisis—his father and older brother had been so busy trying

daughter. Before that, he and Jeanette both believed Citrine's real father was just some penniless

on top of the family's mess, left Clifford feeling conflicted and

dollars. She was so thrilled that when she got home that afternoon, she did something unheard of:

tonight." Citrine was usually picky about food, rarely ate meat, and barely finished half

year," Citrine blurted out, unable

at home, when she smiled at him, there was always a trace of distance, as if her happiness was never quite

her now, he couldn't help but smile warmly. "But you always come first, don't you?

a poor student. In reality, she'd been acing every monthly exam

His

on her meal. "It's different this time. I broke the

the prize, her

chuckled. "Do you really love money that

hesitated, then answered with sincerity, "Of

meant she could control her own