The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 534

"She's already a little seductress at her age. No wonder her parents are such lowlifes."

"I have no clue how someone like her ever got into an Ivy League school, let alone became a CEO."

"Absolutely disgusting. If I had a daughter like that, I'd rather strangle her myself."

...

Citrine scrolled through a handful of the comments, expression unchanged. After

a moment, she handed the phone back to Mr. Shaw.

"Thank you, Mr. Shaw," she said politely.

"N-no problem." Mr. Shaw had expected her to break down after reading the online vitriol, but Citrine remained as composed as ever, as if none of it even registered.

Even Hawley couldn't help but respect her self-control. Most kids would have fallen apart—facing this at her age and keeping her cool? With that kind of grit, it was no wonder she'd achieved so much already.

Still, Hawley didn't believe the rumors for a second. He hesitated, then spoke up: "President Carmichael, I'm sure what's online isn't true. Maybe you should clear things up for everyone?"

a brash voice cut

had the video analyzed-no sign

in, still in his tracksuit, radiating self-assured swagger. He marched straight toward

"That's Mr. Aldridge."

"What's he doing here?"

the room as people recognized

past the crowd, stopping right in front of Citrine, jabbing a finger at her face. "Citrine Carmichael, you had it coming after what you did to Kali. Now your dirty laundry's all over

glances, realization dawning. In perfect unison, they blurted, "So

't even glance up. Unruffled, she replied in a tone

it's not as humiliating as when Mr Aldridge himself went viral

crimson, outrage making his voice tremble. "What

Crestwood knew: the one thing Quentin Aldridge couldn't stand was any mention of *that*

Citrine, seething. This was the second time she'd thrown his scandal back

seducing my own teacher as a teenager. That's a whole new level of

but Citrine didn't

slow, almost

you staring at?"

smiled faintly. "No wonder Kali sent