Chapter 29
Over the past few years, the rest of the Chase family’s businesses had either floundered or failed outright. If it weren’t for a handful of research breakthroughs barely keeping them afloat, they’d have found themselves locked out of high society entirely
the Ch
The Chase family had crushed countless small companies along the way Many of those were powerless to fight back after the Chases stole their research, and more than a few ended up bankrupt–some even lost everything, families included.
Frankly, the Chase family had no one but themselves to blame for the mess they were in now
Ogden, for his part, fully approved of his granddaughter’s choices. As long as she stopped stubbornly doing favors for the Iversons, he’d support just about anything she did 2
And just like that, within a matter of days, the Chase empire collapsed.X
When Amelia heard the news, she couldn’t have been more delighted.
But as juicy as this gossip was, something else left her even more stunned–Citrine’s real identity.”
It was only that might, when she ran into Raymond, that Amelia leamed he was Citrine’s biological father,
The daughter of the Carmichaels–one of the most powerful families in Havencrest. Talk about an impressive pedigree.
Amelia never imagined she’d end up as best friends with someone who was, in real life, the kind of heiress people only read about in novels
Honestly, even the wildest stories wouldn’t dawn take it this fack
After thinking it over, Amelia suddenly reached a conclusion.
“Citrine, you were just bom for the high life “à
Citrine had just taken a sip of water and sputtered it out, laughing.
She gave Amelia a serious look. “Why do you say that?“!
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Back when she lived abroad, Citrine could barely afford to eat, Did that sound like a charmed life?!
Amelia didn’t even hesitate. “Think about it! The Iversons, who adopted you, are old money. Your biological dad is from a family with even more influence. If that doesn’t prove it, what does?“.
Tace it, Citrine, you were made for good fortune. It’s like fate just wants you to enjoy life.“X
Citrine’s eyes turned somber.)
Enjoy life? Then why did happiness always seem so far away, no matter how many times she started over?
As for money, she never had enough. Or rather, she wanted more much more l
The Iversons might have been wealthy, but that wasn’t her money to spend. Living with them, she’d always pinched pennies
Worse, to them she was little more than a stray they took in out of charity.
Sawyer and Aline were the masters of the house. When Sawyer was around, Aline would let the family dog eat a meal for his sake. But when he wasn’t home, the house pet was no better than a stray out on the street.
As for the Carmichaels–she couldn’t bring herself to trust them completely, either
Citrine knew one thing for certain in this world, she could only rely on herself. The only real security was having enough money and power in her own hands.
After school, Citrine packed her things and stepped out of the classroom, only to find someone blocking her way.
She glanced at the girl, then told Amelia to go on ahead
Since the Chase family’s downfall, Alicia–once the golden girl–had fallen from grace overnight. In just a few short days, she’d become quieter and more withdrawn than anyone could have imagined.
Once, Alicia loved being the center of attention. Now, she kept her head down, barely making a sound in class.
“You must be feeling pretty smug right now, huh?” Alicia spat, her voice sharp with resentment
She looked drained, all traces of her former glamour gone.
“Why would I be?” Citrine replied, genuinely puzzled
Alicia pressed on as if she hadn’t heard. “You must be thrilled to see me like this.”
“The Chase family got what they deserved. But seeing you looking like this? I admit, yeah, it’s a little satisfying Citrine didn’t bother to
She wasn’t a saint. She couldn’t help feeling hatred for those whold hurt her in the past.)
In fact, Citrine held grudges–and she always paid them back
The only reason she hadn’t yet was because the time wasn’t right
Alicia
a stared at her, and for a moment, it was as if she saw the younger Citrine she’d once known
“You hate me,” Alicia said–not as a question, but as a simple truth
