The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Vester acted as if he didn't notice the scowls on the Archer family's faces.

Under everyone's watchful gaze, he wheeled himself toward Citrine.

"Ms. Carmichael, could I have a word with you in private?"

Citrine glanced over her shoulder at Sebastian, then turned back and nodded to Vester.

"Would you like me to push you?" she offered.

"No need," Vester replied, shaking his head.

The two of them-Citrine leading, Vester behind-made their way to a nearby sitting room.

Citrine feigned innocence. "Mr. Vester, if you have something to say, please say it." She was simply waiting for his invitation.

Vester regarded the young woman before him-barely twenty, yet already so accomplished. Her composure revealed nothing, making her seem enigmatic and unreadable. No wonder Darius Archer, that old fox, valued her so highly.

Vester couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement as he recalled what he'd learned about her: the cases she'd treated, the patients she'd cured, some with conditions that had stumped the best doctors in Northriver, others with rare illnesses hardly seen in the West. If she could do that-then maybe, just maybe, his own legs stood a chance.

Vester looked at Citrine, his eyes betraying a hint of hope.

Carmichael, I asked you here because I'd like you

ran a hand over his numb legs, trying to

without missing a

already gotten hold of Vester's medical records and reviewed photos of his legs;

ceremony, rolled up

Vester barely had time to react. Startled, he stiffened. People in Magnolia were hardly conservative, so embarrassment wasn't the issue. The problem was his legs-they looked awful, and he worried she'd be horrified. But Citrine simply examined him, completely unfazed. She looked up and

his leg gently. "Does this hurt

lowered his head

his pant leg back down

fade. Just as he was ready to

the degree of muscle atrophy, there's still a chance for

lit up instantly. "Really?" He couldn't stop asking, over

again, Citrine

his blue eyes, once dull

her voice

not asking for more." After years of hearing nothing but disappointment, Citrine's words

I'm ninety percent confident I

will take a

need

and the rehab