The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 489

"What's the Rackham Group supposed to be, anyway?"

Citrine didn't even bother to spare Jarvis a proper glance. She let out a cold, dismissive laugh. "You? Seriously? Not even close."

It was the first time a woman had ever put Jarvis in his place like that, and his face flushed a deep, angry red.

He jabbed a finger at Citrine, his voice rising with indignation. "You really don't know what's good for you, do you? You should feel honored that I've taken an interest in you."

Citrine finally looked up at him, clicking her tongue in mock pity.

She sized him up from head to toe before speaking. "Dark circles under your eyes, complexion sallow, you look exhausted. Let me give you some advice: try cleaning up your act for the sake of your health. If you keep living this recklessly, you'll wind up with nothing—and no one to carry on your name."

Jarvis's eyes went wide, mortified and furious. "What the hell are you saying? Who are you calling weak?"

Citrine glanced over at the other two men, then shrugged. "Well, unless anyone else here is sweating bullets and looking like death warmed over, I think it's obvious who I mean."

Jarvis wiped his forehead-sure enough, he was sweating-and his expression grew even darker. He glared at Citrine, voice low and threatening. "You bitch. Spouting nonsense. You really want to test me? I could end you."

The look on Citrine's face turned icy. Suddenly, without warning, she slapped Jarvis hard across the face.

the blow. Rubbing her hand, Citrine

disbelief. "Did you just hit

his hand and started toward her. "I'll make you pay for

grabbed Jarvis by the arm. He leaned in and whispered urgently, “Mr. Rackham, you're messing with the wrong person. That's President Carmichael-the

drained

father's warning that morning -out of everyone he might cross today, President Carmichael was the one person he absolutely could

so sorry, President Carmichael. We

hurried Jarvis away, the latter's face still twisted with

only Citrine and Carney were left in

did Carney realize that Citrine had just stepped in to protect

his lips together, then spoke in a quiet, grateful

Since his family's bankruptcy,

from a sheltered trust-fund kid to a penniless nobody, a target for anyone who wanted to kick him while he was down. Relatives kept their

mocked him,

made his

chance they got.

time since anyone had shown Carney genuine kindness-

front of her now, he finally found a