The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 481

Everyone raised their glasses in a toast, their faces masked with polite smiles that felt as thin and brittle as glass.

Citrine glanced around the table, her lips curling into a faint, enigmatic smile. "Thank you all for your kind words."

From start to finish, she hadn't even touched her glass.

She could easily tell that most of these people were fawning for their own gain; genuine admiration was in short supply.

But Citrine didn't care. Now that she stood at the top, she no longer needed to cater to anyone's whims.

She would drink if she felt like it—and if she didn't, she could just as easily flip the table and walk out.

The others kept their glasses raised, their eyes flickering uneasily toward Citrine, smiles freezing uncomfortably on their faces.

Still, no one dared to speak up. Finally, someone tried to break the tension, smiling as he said, “President Carmichael, you're young, brilliant, and truly inspiring. We'll finish this round in your honor-please, join us if you wish."

With that, the group downed their drinks in unison, the awkward atmosphere dissolving somewhat.

A sharp one, Citrine thought, letting her gaze linger on the man for a moment longer.

catching Citrine's thoughts, leaned in and murmured softly, "That's Mr. Shaw

understanding at

corporations everywhere

most reliable, and most successful in the country, making them every

essential features; none

table was

Citrine listened intently, sometimes

word to

just

when Mr. Fuller,

an oily grin, looked at Citrine and asked,

accomplished so much at such a young

be too busy for a

am I right?"

shot him a look, baffled by his sudden turn to her private life.

flashed in Mr. Fuller's eyes. He glanced meaningfully at the young man beside him, his gaze laced

drink with President Carmichael,"

going chalk

venomous glare and muttered under his breath, "Do you want to keep your