The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 230

Citrine was penniless and on the verge of starving to death.

By dawn the next day, her hunger was so overwhelming her stomach felt hollow, and she simply couldn't bear it any longer. Waiting until the bakery owner was busy with other customers, she slipped a warm roll from the steaming tray when no one was looking.

She acted quickly, but not quickly enough. The heavyset baker spotted her in an instant.

With a furious shout, he snatched up his rolling pin and lumbered after her. Citrine was so weak from hunger, she barely made it a few yards before he caught her by the collar.

The baker's face was red with rage as he shook her roughly. "You little thief! Stealing from me, huh? I ought to teach you a lesson."

"Filthy beggar, you think you can steal my bread and get away with it? I'll make you regret it!"

His fists were as hard as iron, slamming down on her again and again. He didn't hold back. In no time, Citrine's face was battered and bruised. She collapsed on the ground, blood pooling beneath her, but even then, she clung to the roll she'd taken, refusing to let go.

Citrine thought she might die right there on the bakery floor, Manley appeared. He sat calmly in his wheelchair at the end of the alley, nodding to the bodyguard at his side. In a flash, the

the bodyguard said, pulling a few crisp bills from his pocket

seeing how much he was offered, finally relented

now, Citrine was

the dirty, battered girl with a trace

stray, how long have you been starving out

speak, but as soon as she opened

Manley immediately called over his medical team, who rushed to her side to begin

Citrine's eyes flashed with panic. She tensed like a cornered animal, glaring

from the strangers. Then, with slow, painful effort, she pulled the squashed, filthy

in hopes of filling the aching emptiness inside her. But her throat refused to cooperate. After just a couple of bites, she began to cough up mouthfuls of

all back out. No

his chest. For the first time in his life, he tried to soften his tone. "Hey,