The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel 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 turned 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."

He reached out to grab her, only for Raymond to catch his arm in a firm grip. Raymond's voice was cold. "And who are you to her now, Mr. 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, I'm 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 irritation. "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.

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."