The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 817

Citrine didn't get home until three o'clock.

The moment she stepped through the door, both the Carmichaels and the Saunders-gathered in the living room-turned as one to look at her.

When no one else appeared behind her after a few seconds, everyone hurried over, voices overlapping with warmth and concern.

"You must be exhausted, honey. Let me make you a nice, warm soup for your stomach," her mother fussed.

"Come here, Citrine, sit by me and try these pastries your grandfather picked out this year," called her older brother.

"Citrine, sweetheart, come sit next to Grandpa," chimed her grandfather, patting the spot beside him.

At first, Citrine felt awkward with all the attention, but over time, she'd gotten used to it.

After a bit of playful bickering and jockeying for her company, she finally ended up in the very center of the couch, surrounded on all sides.

Weston grinned so broadly that his eyes nearly disappeared behind his smile. He was secretly relieved that his precious granddaughter hadn't brought that "wild young man” home with her. Even though Raymond and Hilda had talked him into accepting her relationship with that guy, he still couldn't help but feel protective. Seeing Citrine walk in alone, he was so happy he could hardly contain it.

The rest of the family might not have said anything out loud, but they all shared Weston's sentiment. After all, they'd only just gotten their beloved girl back; of course, they wanted to keep her close as long as possible.

Weston decided not to dwell on the inevitable heartbreak of his granddaughter being whisked away by some boy someday. He pushed aside his reluctance, his face lighting up with a smile. "Alright, time for the red envelopes!"

The younger Carmichaels and Saunders perked up instantly and crowded around the coffee table.

could react. With a dramatic flourish, he dropped to his knees in

his own grandson a withering glare, his face darkening.

red envelope, purposely raising his voice so Herschel could hear, "Here you go, my dear grandson. This one's

envelope, weighing it appreciatively in his hand-completely oblivious to the trouble he was stirring. Herschel snorted, shooting his "bargain grandson" a look of disdain. "You can keep him. All I care about is my sweet granddaughter," he declared, turning to Citrine with a tender smile. He handed her an envelope even heftier than Wade's. "This

kids exchanged looks. Seriously? Did he really have to say that

eyes widened as she accepted the envelope. "Thank

she realized something was off. She glanced at her older siblings, then quietly slid the envelope into her pocket, trying not to draw

was at least three times fatter than the one Weston had

teeth in disbelief. The others stared at

to swallow his pride, Weston promptly pulled out his own extra-large envelope and pressed it into Citrine's hands. "Here you go, sweetheart. Your

shot Herschel a triumphant

a little dazed, before taking the envelope and

clearly two or three times thicker than the

silent protest, but before anyone

"Alright, line up for your envelopes-one at a time!"

thoughts of fairness vanished from the kids' minds as they scrambled forward to bow and

thing-she'd already pocketed two of the biggest envelopes in the

was time for her uncles-Mack, Levi, and Uncle Manley-to

Citrine didn't have to lift a finger. She received

uncle,

her second uncle,

country for