The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 759

The mood in the room shifted instantly after Citrine finished speaking. The guests who'd been hostile a moment ago suddenly changed their tune.

Mrs. Black's face was ashen with anger. She shot a furious look at her youngest son, who had just stopped crying, and scolded him sharply. "This is what happens when you don't listen! You ruined your brother's birthday party."

But that wasn't enough to vent her frustration. She stormed over and slapped the chubby boy several times. He let out a wail. "Mom, how could you hit me? I hate you!" With that, he turned and ran out of the room.

For a brief moment, a flicker of regret crossed Mrs. Black's eyes as she watched her son disappear. But when she turned back to face Curry Black, her expression hardened, her eyes colder than ever.

She snapped at him, "Are you happy now?"

Curry's face went pale. He looked at his mother, opened his mouth, and said with pain in his voice, "Sometimes I really wonder if I'm actually your son."

Mrs. Black let out a cold, humorless laugh. "Frankly, I wish you weren't. Both of you are my children, but when I was pregnant with you, nothing ever went right. When I was expecting your brother, that's when our family finally prospered. Face it, Curry-you've always been nothing but bad luck."

The words “bad luck" seemed to strike Curry like a blow. His eyes darkened, and he clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. He tried to speak, but no words came out.

That's when Citrine stepped in, her voice bright and easy. She smiled at Curry. "Hey, it's your birthday. Let's cut the cake."

"Yeah, come on! I've been waiting all day

thaw the ice in Curry's heart, if only a

the first cut. The moment hung in the air-until it was shattered by a booming announcement from the hall: "Mr. Griffin

air of deference, practically bowing as he greeted him. Bartley ushered the

birthday. When I sent the invitation, I never dreamed you'd be able to make it, considering your busy schedule. I can't thank you enough-it really means a lot

if

quick to switch gears, hurried over to

we would have waited for you to start. Of all our guests today,

guest, Wade almost burst out laughing. “Jonah Griffin? He must be here just

to me in the last

always knew your folks played favorites,

it rough

bitter laugh. "The Griffin family has a lot of weight in Crestwood and more importantly they're second-in-command in the Shadow Syndicate. My parents have been trying to get in with the Syndicate for years. Today, they're just using my birthday as an excuse to cozy up to the Griffins. You can bet

wryly. He'd seen through his

his idea—they'd forced him

snorted. "Your parents sure are