The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 288

These things didn't matter to Citrine.

That summer, on the Carmichaels' advice, Citrine underwent surgery and finally regained full hearing in her left ear.

As her hearing returned, the memories of that terrible fire faded, growing more distant in her mind.

September arrived, and with it, the start of a new semester at Crestwood University.

The entire Carmichael family refused to let Citrine go alone for orientation. Against the collective will of her family, she had no choice but to agree to their company.

Citrine had enrolled as a pre-med major, with a second degree in literature.

The moment she stepped onto Crestwood's campus, she was swept into a crowd of new students.

At eighteen, Citrine had truly grown into herself-her skin was luminous and fair, her features sculpted and striking, every detail so captivating it was hard to look away.

She caught eyes everywhere she went, from both guys and girls.

At the registration desk, a tall boy-easily over six feet-strode straight toward her. "Hey, do you need help finding your dorm?" he offered.

Citrine had just opened her mouth to politely decline when Raymond, her father, stepped in with a stony expression. He shot the boy a cold look and said curtly, "No need. We can see just fine."

had barely reached adulthood,

realizing too late that Citrine was hardly alone.

her dorm. Once inside, Raymond set about wiping down her desk and

insisted, gently steering her

together with Travis and Salome, he set to work cleaning the room-making the bed, wiping down the wardrobe,

little to do except offer the occasional

one corner, Citrine's new roommates watched the whole scene unfold, silently

spotless and the time came to say goodbye, Weston and Raymond were struck

at their sides. Now, with her heading off to college, home would feel very different. The thought left both

several times, the Carmichaels finally

on her.

gestured to the other two

offering a polite nod. "Nice to meet you.

down right in front of Citrine,

to respond. Was it normal to feel a little

mind her. Ingrid's a total sucker for a pretty face -she can't help herself

thanks," Citrine

about the earlier scene, asked with open admiration, "Citrine, were those all your family who came

"Yes, they're my family."

of her loved ones, Citrine felt a gentle warmth in her heart. "They really are