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.

and stared, torn between laughter

her fur stand on end.

stood, girl and cat, frozen on the staircase, unsure whether to join the madness or

for Raymond to notice his daughter hovering above them. "Citrine,

they were doing and

eyes nearly disappeared. Waving her over with both hands, he called, "Citrine,

clutching the

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

trying to piece things together, barely had a moment to react before Travis hauled her onto the sofa. "Sis, do you know where you ranked in the state this

batted an eye. "Probably top fifty, if nothing unexpected happened," she answered calmly, tossing out the bold claim

in disbelief. "How do you know

tugged at Citrine's lips. "I knew everything on

her smile widening. "Congratulations to you too, big brother. You

like she'd just performed a

grinned. "Your principal messaged me. Sylvan

and Travis had scored about the

the butler entered with a crowd in

house, a congratulatory banner in their hands and joy shining on

door before he burst out laughing. "Citrine! Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael! We're here to

in the state! She's this year's top science student. It's a

Raymond's smiles