The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 425

Citrine was the name Hilda had chosen for her daughter long before she was born.

Even before the baby's first heartbeat, Hilda had already decided: her little girl would be called Citrine.

On the day Citrine was born, Hilda crafted a delicate silver locket for her newborn. She engraved the name "Citrine" into the metal herself—a simple, loving promise for her daughter's future.

But when her daughter disappeared, that locket vanished with her.

Now, a surge of emotion washed over Hilda as she looked at Monica, her voice turning grave. "Send me her information," she said.

Monica had been waiting for this moment, her heart leaping with hope. "Aunt Hilda, I already sent you her file ages ago. You just never checked it."

Hilda's expression faltered for a moment, but she quickly masked it and opened their message thread. Sure enough, there it was-Citrine's profile.

She tapped it open, and before she could even scroll down, a photograph caught her breath.

A young woman smiled at the camera, her high ponytail bouncing with youthful energy.

Hilda's gaze lingered on the girl's face.

that gentle curve of the jaw, the shape of

Hilda with a warmth she'd never known before,

brimming in her eyes, she asked Monica, "Can I meet her?" Even though she knew disappointment was possible, Hilda couldn't bear the thought of

pressed on, her voice trembling with urgency. "I want to see her now." Deep inside, she was convinced

might not be so easy," she admitted, glancing at Hilda

was a bit too eager last time —she must have realized I wanted to get a DNA sample. After that, I asked Sylvia to arrange another

"If I hadn't pushed so hard, I wouldn't have

“Wait! Aunt Hilda, Sylvia told me Citrine studies at Crestwood University. We could go to the

"Sylvia said Citrine's

to see her daughter overwhelmed everything else. "Let's

Saunders, our international clients are asking when we'll be ready to

way. "We're not starting," she replied

I have more important matters to deal with. And apologize-tell them'm 1. willing to offer concessions. But if they walk away, I'll accept

that, Hilda swept out of C. Corp with Monica at her

straight for

was Monday, and most students were in class;

on their hands, Hilda and Monica

nearly every corner.