The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 688

Citrine stared at him, stunned by the force of his reaction-she truly hadn't expected it.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, both fell silent.

Sebastian swallowed, breaking the tension first. "Either way, I'm not leaving. We agreed before I joined CICI-you can't fire me."

With that, he all but bolted from the room, not giving Citrine a chance to reply.

She watched his retreating figure, a mixture of exasperation and helplessness welling up inside her.

Whenever she wasn't teaching, she'd usually drop by the office, but these past few days, Sebastian had seemed to be avoiding her entirely, almost as if he were deliberately keeping his distance since the incident.

Friday night arrived.

A handful of Crestwood's most prominent business leaders had invited Citrine and Sebastian to dinner.

Normally, Citrine had little patience for these tedious social gatherings, but when she saw the guest list, she hesitated-then changed her mind.

It was, in a sense, a private affair, so they'd chosen the city's most exclusive club for the meeting.

into the private lounge, the lively conversation died

Neville Barrett stood up at once, a polite smile on his face as he offered the

have a seat," he said with a tone that

front of everyone, she brushed past and took the seat at the very center, as

his father so publicly slighted, shot to his feet, anger flashing across

his teeth. "You" He'd worried about her constantly when her life had hung in

Citrine Carmichael

his son glower at Citrine, Neville's heart skipped a beat. He shot

"Quentin, sit down."

father's voice so stern,

out a sharp huff and

then, something unexpected

Quentin bent to take his seat, Citrine looked

leaving no room for

mind moving to

gaped

turning instead to Neville with a cold, almost mocking smile. "President Barrett, your son could use some lessons in manners. Frankly,

in her words was