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?"

to rest," she

and moved behind him,

wrinkled hand came down with a sharp smack across her

"Don't," Scales snapped.

with me?" Kali stared at him, stunned, blinking back the pain in her hand, disbelief clouding

alone hit her. Yet now,

all her life. There

explain, "Grandpa, Citrine Carmichael said

what I meant-please, don't let

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

Kali. "So you believe

turned away, his voice cold and final. "She may have done it on purpose, but you're not innocent

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

ruthless in his youth, and though age had mellowed him, his suspicion—an instinct of anyone

shifted between them. There was no going

at