The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

At 12:52 a.m. on New Year's Day, she and Sebastian Vesper officially became a couple.

Not just friends-real couple.

No one could tell what the future would hold, but in that moment, Citrine wanted nothing more than to follow her heart.

And now, she was no longer alone.

This New Year's marked something truly special for Citrine; it was the happiest moment of her life. The same was true for Sebastian. After all, he was finally with the one he loved, no longer facing the world by himself. From now on, she would be his family.

Meanwhile, the entire Saunders clan had crowded around an upstairs window, peeking down with a mix of curiosity and mischief. Even after Citrine and Sebastian disappeared from sight, their gazes lingered, unwilling to let go.

"Is that guy really Citrine's boyfriend?" Weston Carmichael, Raymond's father, gawked with a look of pure dismay, as if his precious daughter had just been snatched away by some unworthy suitor.

Herschel Saunders stroked his imaginary beard, for once siding with Weston. "That girl kept this secret well. If we hadn't accidentally stumbled upon them tonight, none of us would have known a thing."

The two old men, having only recently reunited with their granddaughter, selfishly hoped to keep her close a few more years. But judging by what they'd just witnessed, it didn't look like they'd have her to themselves much longer. The thought of their precious girl being swept away by some young upstart left both of them sour-faced and sighing.

going to get whisked away

think he can take her

wore matching scowls, openly resenting the man who'd

instead, they

enough for my sister. I need to think of a way to teach that guy

Wade replied, uncharacteristically

and barely had a chance to show off in front of their niece, only to watch helplessly

to make things difficult for

the new boyfriend a little trouble, the Saunders elders nodded in

Saunders woman

wore long faces, with only Raymond and Manley Carmichael, along with Hilda Saunders, holding back in

exchanged glances with Manley and

a silent understanding

his voice firm: "No one is to

Raymond disliked the man who had stolen his daughter away, he couldn't ignore all the hardships she'd endured. If this