The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 287

The Carmichaels' hearts leapt into their throats.

And, of course, the internet chose that moment to freeze.

Their nerves stretched to the breaking point-even Raymond looked rattled.

"This crappy wifi!" Travis grumbled, logging out and back in, his frustration clear in every movement.

This time, the page loaded smoothly.

But the results screen stayed blank.

Instead, a single line appeared at the bottom: Placed within the top 50 in the state. Full results available on the 23rd.

Weston stared at the screen, eyes wide, then burst out, "Top fifty in the whole state! No wonder she's my granddaughter-our Carmichael family is going places!"

"The kids in our family really are something else," Weston crowed, beaming with pride. They didn't even know Citrine's exact score yet, but just making it into the state's top fifty was enough to set everyone's hearts racing. After all, the Carmichaels had never been famous for academics; business was their game. No one in the family had ever ranked this high before.

Just then, Citrine, still groggy from sleep, stumbled downstairs after a quick wash —and walked straight into chaos.

Weston, Raymond, and Travis were dancing around the living room in pure celebration.

Stone-faced, serious Weston was twisting and shimmying with even more enthusiasm than the rest, looking for all the world like an overgrown, wild-eyed snake.

stopped in her tracks and stared, torn between laughter and

time, Happy-the family's cat-came out to liven things up, but the wild scene made her fur

staircase, unsure whether to join

to notice

what they were doing and turned

so wide his eyes nearly disappeared. Waving her over with both hands,

clutching the

like they'd just won the lottery-faces lit up, energy buzzing,

to react before Travis hauled her onto the sofa.

fifty, if nothing unexpected happened," she answered calmly, tossing out the bold claim as

at her in disbelief. "How

knew everything on

"Congratulations

a magic

Sylvan and the others

and Travis had

then, the butler entered with a crowd in

principal and several school officials swept into the house, a congratulatory banner in their hands and joy

principal barely made it through the door before he burst out laughing. "Citrine! Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael! We're

was practically vibrating with excitement. "Citrine scored a 750 on the SAT— the highest in the state! She's this year's top science student. It's a huge honor

Raymond's smiles stretched