The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 10

**At The Sterling Room.**

"Mr. Carmichael, welcome!"

Manager Larkin hurried over at a brisk trot, his attitude nothing short of reverent.

His eyes immediately landed on the person standing behind Raymond. The girl was strikingly beautiful—so much so that Larkin couldn't help but steal a few extra glances before catching himself. Realizing his lapse in professionalism, he quickly lowered his gaze and pretended not to have noticed.

President Carmichael had never brought a woman here before, and with how at ease the girl seemed, Larkin couldn't help but speculate about their relationship.

Raymond, catching the direction of his thoughts, shot him a cold glance and offered a rare explanation. "She's my daughter."

Larkin nearly broke into a cold sweat as he realized his mistake. Desperate to recover, he blurted out, "Of course, I should have known. She takes after you so much, Mr. Carmichael."

Mortified by his earlier assumptions, he felt his nerves fray, completely unaware that a sheen of sweat had appeared on his brow.

Luckily, Raymond seemed disinterested in making a scene.

Citrine shot Raymond a surprised look. She hadn't expected him to acknowledge her as his daughter in front of others.

Larkin quickly turned to her and apologized, "Ms. Carmichael, I'm terribly sorry for my rudeness just now."

"It's alright," Citrine replied with a polite nod.

She understood Larkin hadn't meant any offense.

After showing them to a table with the best view in the house, Larkin quietly excused himself.

Sitting here, one only had to look up to see a blanket of stars—no wonder The Sterling Room was the most sought-after restaurant in Havencrest. The scenery was simply breathtaking.

Now, father and daughter sat across from each other, both a little awkward, as if neither could quite believe they were here together. No one would have guessed that the same two who had exchanged such sharp words at their first meeting were now sharing a table in peace.

"Order whatever you'd like," Raymond said naturally, sliding the menu toward Citrine.

She picked it up and made a few selections at random.

"I'm done," she said, passing the menu back across the table.

Raymond glanced at her choices, then looked up at her. "That's all you want?"

Citrine nodded, a little bewildered.

"Mr. Iverson?" Sawyer let out a disbelieving laugh.

"Citrine, stop being childish with Dad," Norton said sternly, his expression severe.

He was growing more convinced than ever that his little sister was becoming impossible.

Sawyer opened his mouth to say something else but was abruptly distracted by a dangerous look aimed his way.

"President Carmichael?" Sawyer sounded genuinely surprised.

The Carmichaels and the Iversons were both major players in Havencrest, their names frequently appearing in the business pages, and Sawyer had seen Raymond at more than a few industry events.

The Carmichaels were the wealthiest family in Havencrest, and Raymond was infamous for his ruthlessness. Since taking over Carmichael Industries, he'd turned it into the city's most powerful conglomerate in just a few years.

Even Sawyer rarely dared to cross him.

Raymond fixed Sawyer with a cool, almost amused look. "The eldest son of the Iverson family certainly throws his weight around. You haven't even inherited the family business yet, and already you're trying to discipline my people?"

Then his gaze shifted to Norton, sharp as a blade. "And who exactly do you think you are?"