The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 511

Scales' birthday banquet was ruined beyond repair. Kali and Jeanette's reputation in Crestwood lay in tatters.

Once she saw her work was done, Citrine slipped away from the chaos.

Hilda and Monica, brother and sister, immediately followed her out. The remaining guests, caught in a web of discomfort, hesitated a while before deciding to leave as well.

Soon, the grand hall stood empty, echoing with the aftermath. Upstairs, Scales suddenly remembered something and wheeled himself toward the centerpiece of the room—a large koi pond.

He glanced around, his eyes downcast. The pond was deserted. The water, murky and disturbed, didn't even hold a single scrap of koi.

Scales' face twisted with grief and anger. "My pond, my beautiful pond... Those damn fools," he cursed.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he turned and rolled away, grumbling under his breath the whole time.

"Useless lot. They trashed my koi pond, fine, but couldn't they have at least left this old man one fish?"

Kali stood off to the side, frozen. She stole a timid glance at Scales, then mustered her courage and walked over, calling out in that sweet tone she'd used since childhood, "Grandpa?"

me take you to your room to rest," she offered, forcing

his reply and moved behind him, hands reaching for the wheelchair's

she could push, a wrinkled hand came down with a sharp smack across her knuckles, knocking her

"Don't," Scales snapped.

me?" Kali stared at him, stunned, blinking back the pain in

voice to her, let alone hit her.

all her life. There was no warmth

to explain, "Grandpa, Citrine Carmichael

I meant-please,

Scales spoke. "Of course I know she said those things to

of hope filled Kali. "So

may have done it on purpose, but you're not innocent either. You really

hands and hadn't given it to him. Whatever her reasons, her actions

though age had mellowed him,

shifted between them. There was no going back to how things

looked at