The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Citrine had just stepped out of the shower when the Archer family's butler arrived to summon them for dinner.

"We'll be right down," she replied, her gaze flickering away from Sebastian's. There was a trace of panic in her eyes, and she avoided meeting his altogether.

Without glancing back to see Sebastian's expression, Citrine hurried after the butler, keeping her head down.

"What, do I look like I bite?" Sebastian chuckled behind her, unable to help himself.

By the time Sebastian joined them downstairs, Citrine was already seated beside Vester.

She kept her eyes lowered, quietly discussing treatment plans with Vester, never once glancing in Sebastian's direction.

No matter how hard she tried to banish the memory of what had happened upstairs, when Sebastian pulled out the chair across from her, she couldn't stop her heart from tensing up just a little.

Jason, who'd been called into his father's study for a stern lecture the night before, had plenty of opinions about Citrine. Tonight, though, he knew better than to express them.

It wasn't until Darius Archer, the family patriarch, sat at the head of the table that everyone finally picked up their forks.

Vester was always quiet at meals, and with the strained relationship he had with his father, he barely said a word throughout dinner.

as if he wanted to speak, but when he caught his father's warning glare, he quickly shut his

she watched Sebastian, eyes gleaming with a predatory certainty, as if she could

entire meal, Citrine and Sebastian both remained silent. Vester and Jason, meanwhile, exchanged uneasy glances, sensing something was off between the two. The whole table was left to wonder if Citrine and Sebastian

a while, he brought up the topic of their business collaboration again. Citrine brushed him off politely, saying just enough to move

was over, Vester asked

settled onto the old wooden swing, gripping the ropes, her head tilted

the ground, she spoke up, cutting straight to the point.

his wheelchair to face her, the corners of his mouth lifting in a subtle,

look, inviting

Archer's business proposal?" Vester didn't answer directly, his tone cautious,

tossed the question back at him. "I'd rather hear your thoughts

couldn't help but smile at the spark in her eyes. "Getting anything out

bringing the swing to a halt. She fixed Vester with a steady look "If you

to tell me what you think

we have a saying: honesty

honesty... I like that." Maybe it was just