The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 795

After leaving the ballroom, Citrine followed Vester out to the backyard.

Once they arrived, Citrine's curiosity finally got the better of her. "Mr. Vester, I've already agreed to the partnership between our families. What else is it you wanted to discuss with me?"

The backyard was empty, the hush making her wary. She eyed Vester with open suspicion.

Vester, amused by her guardedness, let a small smile slip. "Ms. Carmichael, you don't need to worry. I just wanted a word with you in private."

"What about?" Citrine's tone was dead serious.

He didn't bother with preamble. "Ms. Carmichael, Mr. Vesper isn't really your boyfriend, is he?"

Citrine didn't reply, just hesitated ever so slightly.

She and Sebastian Vesper were never actually a couple, just putting on a show. If Vester had seen through it, it wasn't all that surprising.

Citrine's silence dragged out, bordering on stubborn. Vester only smiled wider and went on, "Aren't you curious how I found out?"

She went along with it, meeting his gaze. "Sure, I'm curious."

His eyes softened. "I've never dated anyone myself, but I've seen enough couples to know what real chemistry looks like. You and Mr. Vesper-there's none of that tension between you; it's all too measured. The way he looks at you is... let's just say it's not entirely innocent. But the way you look at him? It's perfectly clear."

Vester had known from the first moment he saw them together that they were faking it.

whole reason he'd dragged her out here? Citrine frowned,

to finish voicing

the Federated States of Magnolia. In fact, your ventures

watched her closely, fidgeting

born. My

for people meddling in her decisions, and he was crossing

Sensing her rushed

annoyance, Vester

"No, that's

in your life."

his lips together, clearly flustered. "I just—I wanted

I like you. I want to marry you." His words trembled with

imagined, at twenty-seven, he could be so

Meanwhile, across the garden,

Ileana

had

just stormed off

Sebastian publicly net

under her

she was gone, Sebastian's face darkened, Ileana's words echoing in

it anymore. Abruptly, he got up