The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 765

Hilda's eyes were red as she shook her head. "No. Absolutely not. I won't let you go."

Herschel and Inez Saunders exchanged a glance, both struggling to keep their composure.

They knew all too well just how dangerous Mirage Cay was. Of course, neither of them wanted their granddaughter anywhere near the place. But after all these years, they understood her stubborn streak better than anyone.

Once Citrine made up her mind, no one could change it—not even them.

"Mom..." Citrine tried to reason with Hilda.

But Hilda cut her off before she could finish. "Citrine, there's no way I'm agreeing to this. I just found you again—how could I possibly let you walk into a lion's den like Mirage Cay? Just thinking about what happened to you there, even in my nightmares, breaks my heart. If I could, I'd take your place in a heartbeat. There's no way I'll let you risk yourself again."

She knew, of course, that Raymond was Citrine's father, and how deeply her daughter cared for him.

After a moment, Hilda took a deep breath. "Citrine, please listen to me. Stay home. I'll go to Mirage Cay myself."

but determined. "Don't

mother face that danger alone? The thought of both her and Raymond trapped on Mirage Cay made her heart race with

insisted, "Mom, Mirage Cay isn't just any place. You don't know the rules there, or

resolute. "No. That's final. Citrine, you need to stay here. I'm making

putting her foot down. This was the first time she'd been

look at Monica and

on Citrine. Don't let her leave the Saunders

Monica and Wade flinched, then hurried to nod

Hilda. We'll make

of Hilda's wrath that made them so quick to comply they genuinely didn't want their sister risking herself on Mirage Cay. After all

back into her old, no-nonsense.self, sharp and commanding. Monica and Wade glanced at each other, both recalling the formidable aunt from their childhood a force to be reckoned

seem fazed in the slightest.

unreadable, giving nothing away.

afternoon, she made a call to the Carmichael