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.

like

a hand over his numb legs, trying to

without

already gotten hold of Vester's medical records and reviewed photos of his legs; they weren't completely atrophied-there was

and, without ceremony,

quickly that 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 asked in English, "Can you feel

leg gently. "Does this

head and

pant leg back down

Vester's eyes began to fade. Just as he was ready to give up,

legs, based on the degree of

eyes lit up instantly. "Really?" He

and again, Citrine reassured

blue eyes, once dull and lifeless, now

hesitation, her voice uncertain. "However, you should be prepared

as there's hope, I'm not asking for more." After years of hearing

ninety percent confident I can

process will take a

You'll need

rehab that