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.

there on the bakery floor, Manley appeared. He sat calmly in his wheelchair at the end of the alley, nodding to the bodyguard at

she took," the bodyguard said, pulling a few crisp bills from his pocket and handing them

offered, finally relented and stormed back

now, Citrine

dirty, battered girl with

"Little stray, how long have you been

soon as she opened her mouth, blood spilled from her

his medical team, who

panic. She tensed like a cornered animal, glaring

hands, inching away from the strangers. Then, with slow, painful

misshapen, but Citrine didn't care; in front of everyone, she crammed it desperately into her mouth, chewing rapidly in hopes of filling the aching emptiness inside her. But her throat refused to cooperate. After just a couple of

all back out. No matter what she did, she couldn't swallow

he tried to soften his tone. "Hey, kid. No