Chapter 22
“You probably don’t get it, kid, Valerie said, barely keeping her anger in check as she cursed Citrine out a hundred different ways in her head “I was handpicked by Mr. Carmichael himself. I’m not like everyone else here”
Citrion muttered under her breath, “Well, his judgment must be slipping, hiring someone like you‘
“What did you just say?” Valerie’s eyes narrowed, she was sure Citrine was talking smack
“Nothing, Catrine replied, stifling a laugh “So, what exactly makes you so special?
Honestly. Citrine thought, bosses hiring staff was the most ordinary thing in the world. Who knew someone could spin that into a whole fantasy about marrying into wealth and power?
Before Valerie could answer, Citrine cut her off, “Don’t tell me you actually think
nk Raymond Carmichael would marry you and make you the
lady of the house?”
Valene’s face flushed crimson. That thought had crossed her mind more than once, but having this brat voice it so bluntly left her feeling more than a little embarrassed
** she started, trying to recover her composure
But Citrine didn’t let her finish. “You’re delusional. Might w
want to get that checked out
“Seriously, that kind of fantasy is a medical condition. You should see someone “2
Citrine’s voice echoed crisply through the office, every word hitting its mark. Throughout the exchange, she remained calm and even, but Valene’s face was a shifting palette of shock and rage, her polite smile was starting to slip.
Finally, Valerie dropped the act entirely
“You little tramp,” she spat, her voice venomous. “What are you p be real proud of yourself!
pretending for? Climbing into Mr. Carmichael’s bed at your age–you must
“You’ve got that sly, seductive face–God knows how many men you’ve messed around with
“Your parents must be real pieces of work, tod-%
Before she could finish, a sharp slap landed across Valene’s cheek, stinging red hot
Damn brat–how was she so strong??
Clutching her face in disbelief, Valerie stared at Citrine. She never thought this girl would actually hit her. With that innocent face, Citrine always seemed cold and a bit aloof, but never threatening &
Valerie grimaced in pain, while Citrine felt a surge of satisfaction. Curling her lips in a warning, she said, “Keep mouthing off and I hit you again.”
If she could solve a problem with her own hands, it wasn’t really a problem at all!
She’d lived one life battling things up–she had no intention of repeating that mistake. If someone tried to make her miserable, she’d give it right back
Valerie, sull clutching her throbbing check, was about to start hurling more insults when footsteps sounded in the hallway
Quick as anything. Valerie wiped her face, flopped down on the floor and let the tears flow.X
“How could you hit me? I only asked you to move out because I was worried you’d distract Mr. Carmichael. Even if you didn’t like it, you can’t just attack me
Valerie looked lovely even when she cried, the kind of weeping that tugged at the heartstrings.
Raymond stepped into the room and took in the scene, his expression darkening, his voice icy. “What’s going on here?” he asked, eyes on Citrine.
Citrine looked up and met his gaze, her own eyes growing colder by the second. Something in his frosty stare sparked imitation deep inside her
Her voice was hard as steel. Thit her. She deserved it.“2
Im not apologizing”
Valene, hearing this, felt a thrill of satisfaction. She just knew Mr. Carmichael saw her differently–this little wretch was nothing next to
“Mr. Carmichael–she began, trying to squeeze out another tear
“Enough Get out “I
The glare in Raymond’s eyes cut through her act in an instant. Valene shrank back, the words dying in her throat, and scured from the
