The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 139

Citrine could tell Clifford was oddly fixated on this, and she couldn't help but find it amusing. "We're family—and related by blood. Why shouldn't I call him my brother?"

At that, Travis's expression shifted as something clicked for him. He knew a little about Citrine's background, and since Clifford's surname was still Iverson, Travis quickly figured out who this guy was.

"So, you're Citrine's old brother?" Travis shot Clifford a cold look, his eyes flashing with a dangerous edge.

Travis had heard plenty about how poorly Citrine was treated by the Iverson family, so he didn't have the slightest affection for anyone from their clan.

Citrine thought for a moment and corrected him, "Not quite. Ex-foster brother, actually."

Ex-foster brother, for crying out loud.

Sylvan nearly lost it trying to stifle his laughter.

Clifford, on the other hand, practically choked when he heard that. Since when did this brat get so good at getting under his skin?

He couldn't be bothered to bicker with her, so he turned his attention to Travis and the group hovering behind him, making no effort to hide the contempt on his face.

"Really, Citrine? You call this sort of guy your brother? Don't you find it embarrassing? Look at the people trailing behind him—they're all rejects from Havencrest Technical College. If you hang around trash like them all day, aren't you worried you'll turn into garbage yourself?"

The words landed hard. Sylvan and his friends looked like they'd been slapped, but there was nothing to say—everything Clifford said was true, and they knew it.

Travis's pupils shrank; all the color drained from his face. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails bit into his palms, but he didn't even feel the pain.

He couldn't bring himself to meet Citrine's eyes, terrified he'd see disgust or disappointment there.