The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 218

He'd always known his granddaughter was sharp-young as she was, Citrine Carmichael had a mind of her own and wasn't someone you could take advantage of. He'd guessed she wouldn't swallow her anger for nothing, but hearing her demand Elbert pay up still left Weston Jensen momentarily speechless.

And Citrine wasn't finished. She looked straight at Elbert, the arch of her brow unmistakably bold. "These days, even a mediocre concert costs a few thousand dollars, and you want me to perform at your birthday party for free? Isn't that wishful thinking? You're basically asking for a handout."

There was nothing polite about her words.

Elbert was so furious he nearly choked. After a fit of coughing, he slammed his palm on the table. "Money's all you want? Fine. Even if I have to pay for it, I want to see what Ms. Carmichael can do."

"How much?" he ground out, jaw clenched.

Citrine's lips curled, a mischievous spark flickering in her eyes. "Oh, not much. Seeing as there's such a big crowd tonight, let's keep it simple-five hundred thousand dollars even."

"Half a million? That's daylight robbery!" Elbert's face turned ashen, his voice rising several octaves. He'd never met a society girl who talked about money so brazenly-it was downright vulgar.

Seeing his reluctance, Citrine's brows shot up and she goaded him, "Don't tell me the Jensen family can't even cough up half a million?"

surprise. "No way. People have been saying for years the Jensens were going downhill, but I didn't think it was

tone was outrageously

couldn't stand anyone slandering his family's reputation. His expression darkened as he snapped, "Who says the Jensens are

a million. We can afford it." He shot a look at his grandson, and Truman Jensen

took it with a satisfied

then, I'll do as

gleaming white

watched, a flicker of glee

about Citrine's reputation in the Carmichael family— spoiled, undisciplined, clueless about music or art, hopeless at everything. Regina could hardly wait for her to make a fool of herself. How shameless, demanding Elbert pay for a performance! Regina could almost taste the satisfaction

and then embarrassed herself tonight, she'd be a laughingstock in high society. The thought made

the piano, waiting eagerly for her

the bench, her slender fingers hovering lightly over

the first notes sounded, her hands drifted