The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 120

After leaving the old mansion, Manley and Travis got into the same car. Both father and son sat in the back seat, each pointedly ignoring the other.

The gift from Citrine sat between them, a massive package that took up the space of an entire person, forming a physical barrier between the two.

Travis's eyes never left the oversized box. After a long silence, he finally asked, "Aren't you even a little curious what's inside?"

Manley lifted his gaze just barely, glancing at his so-called son. "Of course I'm curious."

"Then why didn't you open it back there?" Travis studied Manley's face, searching for a reaction.

"What's it to you?" Manley replied coolly, turning to stare out the window, his expression unreadable.

Travis couldn't shake the feeling that Manley's attitude toward Citrine was oddly different—distinct from how he treated anyone else.

For one thing, Manley had actually accepted Citrine's gift.

Everyone knew Manley had a terrible temper, and he absolutely despised the Carmichael family. Whenever he lost his temper at their gatherings, he'd never spare anyone's feelings. Travis, in fact, had never seen his father show this much courtesy to anyone—let alone a young girl.

"I remember you never accept gifts from the Carmichaels," Travis said suddenly, studying him.

If his memory served, on Manley's last birthday both Vicente and Regina Carmichael had brought presents, and Manley hadn't even hesitated to toss their gifts out in front of them, making his disdain perfectly clear.

Before Manley could reply, Travis pressed on, "And you seemed a little too eager to visit the old house today."

Manley usually dreaded these family visits; every trip back was preceded by a fit of rage at home. But this afternoon, he'd been strangely calm—he hadn't thrown a tantrum, and had even volunteered to make the trip.

Travis didn't get it. Although they were father and son, he'd never been able to figure Manley out.