The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 236

Raymond and the Carmichael family exchanged brief glances but said nothing more. Without another word, they left the hospital room.

Once outside, the Carmichaels' faces were clouded with worry-none of them looked pleased, and tension hung in the air.

Raymond cast a glance at Manley, then suddenly spoke up. "Manley, I don't know what you're playing at, but from now on I want you to stay away from my daughter."

"And why should I?" Manley shot back, lifting his eyes defiantly.

"Because I'm Citrine's father," Raymond replied coldly, his voice edged with warning.

A humorless laugh escaped Manley as his hands balled into fists. "Raymond, I'm her Uncle Manley. I have every right to see her. You don't get to decide that for me."

There was no way he'd keep his distance from Citrine. Not now, not ever.

Raymond's eyes hardened. "If it weren't for Citrine, I would've warned you long ago. I don't care what your intentions are with my daughter, but I won't allow even a hint of danger near her."

Before Citrine came into his life, Raymond hadn't cared much about Manley. But with her there, Manley suddenly seemed like a threat he couldn't ignore.

him years ago after the accident. The memory sent a chill down his

of the Carmichael

wasn't until Manley's car accident—an accident

the battle for succession finally ended, if only

the

along with his

of his legs, Manley

own sphere of influence. His efforts to undermine the Carmichael

upper crust whispered that Raymond himself had orchestrated the accident, desperate to eliminate his fiercest rival. Manley certainly believed

returned to the old family estate. Manley had been drinking heavily that night, his

with a drunken Manley, but as he headed back to his room, Manley intercepted him

a venomous snake. In a low, deliberate voice, he said, "Raymond, just wait. One day, I'll destroy what

hadn't thought much of Manley's threats at the time. But after Citrine came into his life-and especially

close. Manley, for his part, didn't

not going to stay away from Citrine. That's never going

she didn't want visitors. That night, Raymond kept vigil outside her hospital room, calling her name every so often just to make sure she was

times but got no response. Panic rose in his chest as he