The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 370

"Crestwood Art Gallery's hosting an exhibit tomorrow. I bought tickets-want to go together?" Hastings texted.

Citrine glanced at her calendar. Nothing scheduled for tomorrow. She typed back quickly: "Sounds good!"

Meanwhile, at the club.

Theo and the guys were drinking in a private lounge, laughter echoing off the walls. They lounged on the sofas, legs crossed, each with a couple of fresh-faced college students at their sides—everyone except Hastings, who sat alone in a corner, hunched over his phone.

He must've just gotten a message, because a small smile curled on his lips before he could help himself.

Someone nearby caught the change in his expression and ribbed him, grinning, “Hastings, what's up with you lately? You're glued to that damn phone every night."

Then, as if hit by a sudden realization, the guy's eyes went wide. "Wait-don't tell me you've got yourself a girlfriend?"

Hastings just shot him a flat look, said nothing, and dropped his gaze to his phone again.

short reply, a quiet happiness

sat up

just as stunned. He grinned at Hastings and teased, "Come on, when did this happen? Is it that 'pain

them fixed their attention on Hastings, waiting

a resigned little laugh. "It's her. But she's not my girlfriend-at

help but smile again. "But I'm

this under wraps! No wonder you've been wandering around

not having to compete with Hastings for Kali's attention anymore, and the thought

Theo didn't look thrilled. He studied Hastings for a moment, his tone abruptly serious. "I thought you liked Kali. Are you really over

together, and he'd seen firsthand how much Hastings doted on his little sister. No matter how ridiculous Kali's requests, Hastings always indulged

clearly caught off guard by the question. He paused, then said carefully, "Now, I just see

really did think I liked her once, but it turns out, what I felt wasn't

always thought Kali was the one, but with Citrine, everything felt different. He only ever spoiled Kali like a sibling. Citrine, though... she made his heart race. She was the