The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 153

Ever since their unpleasant conversation the night before, Raymond had noticed that his daughter was clearly avoiding him—or, at the very least, keeping her distance.

Aside from mealtimes, she barely spent any time in the living room.

Raymond had tried to explain himself on several occasions, but she never gave him the chance.

That evening, he planned to finally have a proper talk with her. But just as dinner was about to begin, his phone buzzed-Adler was calling with bad news. There was a serious issue with a client overseas, something complicated enough that Raymond would have to catch a flight out of the country immediately.

Hanging up, he turned to Citrine. "Citrine, something's come up at work. I have to travel abroad for a bit."

She hesitated, remembering how tense he'd looked while on the call. "Is it serious?"

Her concern brought a small smile to his face. "It's nothing I can't handle," he replied, trying to reassure her.

joining the Carmichael family, this would be the first time Raymond had to

forcing a lighthearted tone. "Not long. I'll be back

a moment's silence, he

though there were housekeepers at home, the idea of her being by herself didn't

Citrine agreed without

she quickly packed her things. Raymond, reluctant to part ways, insisted on driving her to the

and

found herself either being roped into a game of chess with Grandpa Weston or dragged off to go

know what to make of it. If the old man played chess seriously, it wouldn't be so bad but every time she was about to win, he'd shamelessly try to take his moves back. It was enough to

her for another

lit up at the sight of her, as if she'd just

Weston's lips tightened in a deep frown. He didn't bother to

been visiting the manor almost every day to check on her niece, and by