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

that guy think

and Wade Saunders both wore matching scowls, openly resenting the man who'd stolen

the two weren't bickering; instead, they were united by a common

one in this world is good enough for my sister. I need

Wade replied, uncharacteristically

home and barely had a chance to show off in front of their niece, only to watch helplessly as she was swept away right

glared, silently vowing to make things

when Travis and Wade suggested giving the new boyfriend a

Saunders woman

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

Raymond exchanged

shared a silent understanding and

voice firm: "No one is to interfere. This is

had stolen his daughter away, he couldn't ignore all the hardships she'd endured. If this was someone she liked, he couldn't bear