The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 148

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It was Jeanette who had tripped and fallen, but when Young Citrine tried to help her up, Sawyer didn't bother to ask what happened—he just started yelling at Citrine.

Then there was Aline, that cruel woman, who would grab Citrine by the throat when no one was around, hissing insults at her. When Citrine showed Sawyer the angry red marks on her neck and tried to tell him what had happened, he accused her of badmouthing Aline and scolded her instead.

Incidents like these happened nearly every day. It hadn't even been a year since that mother and daughter moved in, and already Sawyer's attitude toward Citrine had grown colder and more distant.

As the Iverson Group expanded, Sawyer spent less and less time at home. Whenever he did return, it was only to dote on Jeanette. Eventually, seeing how little Sawyer cared for Citrine, Aline began to openly mistreat her—sometimes denying her meals, sometimes hitting her. Even the household staff felt free to hurl insults at her.

The once spirited and headstrong Citrine gradually lost the light in her eyes, until all that was left was a quiet, numb calm.

When Citrine turned eight, Aline hired a piano tutor for her. At first, Citrine was enthusiastic about her lessons, her smile growing brighter by the day. Even Raymond, ever watchful, didn't notice anything amiss.

But after one particular lesson, the tutor lingered as the session ended, smiling as he leaned closer. "Citrine, would you let Uncle take a look under your dress?"

By then, Citrine had learned enough about the world to understand what he meant. She shrank back, her voice trembling. "Sir, I… I don't want to practice piano anymore."

"You bastard! You animal! I'll kill you!" Raymond's face darkened with rage. He swung his fist, but—as always—his hand passed right through.

The next day, Citrine mustered her courage and went to see Sawyer.

In a small, cautious voice, she asked, "Dad, can I stop taking piano lessons?"

Sawyer didn't even look up from his paperwork. "No."