Chapter 12
Norton knew better than to go up against Raymond, so he clamped his mouth shut
“Your people?” Sawyer’s expression darkened, his attention caught by Raymond’s last words.
Citrine actually knew Raymond.
Suppressing the questions swirling in his mind, Sawyer tumed to Citrine, “What’s your relationship with him?”
“That’s none of your business.” Citrine didn’t even look up, eating her dinner as if he didn’t exist.
Sawyer was infuriated by her indifference, suspicion nagging at him. He shot her an angry glare. “Citrine, you’re coming home with me. Stop making a spectacle of yourself out here.”
“And who are you to her now,
Mr.
He reached out to grab her, only for Raymond to catch his arm in a firm grip. Raymond’s voice was cold. “A Iverson?
“If I recall correctly. Citrine is only your adopted daughter. You severed ties not long ago.”
Sawyer bristled. Family business like this shouldn’t be aired in front of outsiders.
“Mr. Carmichael, whatever happens, Im still her father. This is a private matter–you don’t need to get involved,”
He turned back to Citrine. “Let’s go.”
Once, Sawyer had been the most important person in Citrine’s life. Now, all she felt was a simmering imitation. “I’m not going anywhere with you. I’ve already cut ties with the Iversons. From now on, I’m just Citrine.”
“So what then?” Sawyer snapped, pointing at Raymond. “You plan to follow him instead?”
“Yes,” Citrine replied, clear and decisive.
Sawyer and Norton’s faces went dark
Norton couldn’t hold back, shaking his head in disbelief. “Citrine, are you out of your mind? Raymond is over thirty!‘
Citrine couldn’t help it–she actually laughed, the absurdity of the moment breaking through her annoyance.X
Sawyer, however, looked at her with open disappointment. “I should never have brought you back to the States. You’ve brought nothing but shame to the Iverson name.
Never should have brought her back.!!
The words echoed in Citrine’s mind, the smile slipping from her face. She’d thought her heart was numb, but suddenly, it hurt more than
ever
A strange, almost manic smile flickered in her eyes. “But I’m here now?
She clenched her fists, forcing her trembling shoulders to still.
With her delicate features, anyone would have guessed that Citrine was a pampered heiress–but only she knew the darkness and chaos inside &
Raymond was the first to notice something was wrong. His eyes chilled as he silently stepped between Citrine and the others, shielding
her
Raymond said, voice icy. “And keep your filthy assumptions
“Mr. Iverson, maybe you and your foolish son should get your eyes checked, Rayn to yourselves.”
“She’s my biological daughter. I
Sawyer and Norton froze, realizing they’d jumped to the wrong conclusion. For a moment, neither could find their pride.
Sawyer recovered first, staring in disbelief. “What did you just say?”
No matter what, he couldn’t believe Citrine was Raymond’s daughter. “Your daughter? Impossible.”
He’d adopted her and investigated her background–nothing had ever led back to her real parents.
Raymond shot him a cold, almost mocking glance. “I have the test results sent to you, Mr. Iverson. Believe it or not, that’s up to you.”
“But after you see them, I hope you’ll stop harassing my daughter.“}
“Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to end every business deal between the Carmichaels and the Iversons.”
With that, Raymond turned to Citrine, his voice gentle. “Let’s go
Citrine followed, her emotions tangled.
Being protected like this unsettled her–she didn’t want to owe him anything.
On the drive back, Citnine’s mood stayed low. It was late, and before long she drifted off to sleep.i
Raymond only woke her once they’d pulled up to the Carmichael estate
Meanwhile, Sawyer had just returned home from the restaurant when Raymond’s assistant sent over the DNA results.
There it was in black and white: Citrine was indeed Raymond’s biological daughter.
Sawyer stared at the paper for hours, stunned.
He knew the Carmichaels reputation–there was no way they’d forge something like this just to deceive him.
His daughter had become Raymond’s daughter.
