The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 185

Not a single breeze stirred in Havencrest's summer air. The moment Citrine

stepped out of her car, a wave of heat washed over her, leaving her feeling as if she'd been trapped inside a steaming sauna. The suffocating warmth pressed in from all sides.

Just a few days earlier, Travis had been in a biking accident-someone had hit him, and the doctor insisted he recover at home. With Travis falling behind on his studies, Citrine had offered to come by and tutor him, which he'd agreed to after a brief discussion.

She followed the location Travis had sent her, and by the time she found his house, it was already eight in the morning.

Citrine pressed the doorbell.

A woman she'd never seen before answered the door. The Carmichaels' housekeeper, Zelda, eyed Citrine with a hint of wariness before asking, "Miss, may I help you?"

Citrine offered a polite smile. "Hello, I'm Travis's sister. Manley is my uncle."

here to help Travis catch up with

Zelda hesitated.

here, she'd never once seen Travis

this girl was the first visitor ever to set foot in the

Though surprised, she stepped aside and let Citrine in

moment Citrine crossed the threshold, it felt as though the light had been dialed

Citrine had to squint to make out the details of the décor, which was all somber hues and shadowy corners. The place was a study in gloom, as if sunlight had been banished for good.

There was no hope.

master isn't up yet," she admitted. Travis was infamous for his terrible morning mood, and Zelda

was in the garden practicing standing, and added with some hesitation, "And Mr. Carmichael is exercising at the moment. He's not to be interrupted either. Please, have a seat. I'll bring you something

of the last time she'd tried to help him after a fall during his morning exercises-he'd lashed out at her

faint sounds coming from the garden. She was wearing her hearing aids today; the smallest

into the little garden, Citrine listened. Suddenly, a dull thud echoed across the yard, followed by