The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

The next day, Citrine and her team boarded a flight to the Federated States of Magnolia.

After making all the necessary arrangements, Citrine took the initiative to reach out to the island's owner.

She had spent so much time on Mirage Cay that she knew plenty of inside information; getting in touch with someone from there was hardly a challenge for her.

Later, Citrine changed and went alone to a quiet restaurant.

Her contact was already waiting when she arrived.

From across the room, she immediately recognized his familiar silhouette. Calm and composed, she walked right over and took the seat across from him without hesitation.

The man wore a mask, revealing only a pair of eyes-eyes that now bore the fine lines of age at their corners.

Citrine narrowed her gaze, studying those eyes she knew so well.

"Well, Mr. Jeff, it looks like the years have finally caught up with you," she said smoothly.

He stared at her for a long moment before replying, "That's true. I've gotten old, while you somehow you're just as sharp as ever, always a step ahead."

She offered a wry smile. "Yet for all my cleverness, I still ended up locked away on Mirage Cay for years, courtesy of you."

With that, she glanced at the waiter and said softly, "Could I have some tea, please?"

by all accounts, yet they sat across from each other like old friends who hadn't met in years, sharing a pot of

was empty, Citrine casually started ordering food, taking her

gaze never left her, his eyes searching her face, trying and failing to read her

if there's anything else you'd like," she

take it. Instead, he shook his head slightly at the waiter. "That won't be necessary," he said,

eat with me?" Citrine teased,

he replied, brows drawing together, a flicker of emotion finally breaking through. "Just tell me why did you ask me

face and smiled, her voice laced with irony. "From my very first day on Mirage Cay, you've always hidden behind a mask. All these years, what exactly are you

gave a sudden, humorless laugh. "You haven't changed a bit still reckless as ever. Aren't

terrified! But honestly, Jeff, I doubt you'd risk it—not with what I know. After all, your biggest fear is that someone finds out about your sister, isn't it? Given your reputation, if the truth came out, there are people out there who would tear her apart just to get

into a sly smile. "Isn't that

smile vanished. He glared at her, fury darkening

did you find out?" His voice was tight, almost

looked stricken, unable to believe that she had uncovered the

a satisfied smile. "Relax, Jeff. What could I possibly have done to

flushed with

to lie.

sister is sick. What good did

to leave her in