The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 169

Magnolia.

This time, Raymond finally saw what those countless pairs of eerie green eyes in the room belonged to.

The sight sent a chill down his spine.

A pack of vicious dogs bared their teeth, their heads weaving from side to side with hunger. When they caught sight of Citrine, their low growls turned excited and sharp.

Raymond was a grown man and even he felt afraid—so it was almost unimaginable how terrifying this must have been for eleven-year-old Citrine.

As Citrine took in the scene before her, the color drained from her face.

She stumbled back several steps, only for her legs to give out beneath her. She collapsed to the floor.

The dogs circled, waiting for the right moment, then lunged straight at her.

Just as the snarling beasts leapt, Citrine's eyes landed on a small wooden stick lying on the floor. She snatched it up, gripping it with all her might.

"Get back!" she yelled, swinging the stick with every ounce of strength she had, striking at the dogs as they closed in.

There was no room for hesitation. Each blow was wild and desperate, Citrine pouring all her fear and will into every swing.

Fighting off one or two dogs was possible—but as more and more closed in, her movements grew sluggish, her arms heavy. Inevitably, she was bitten. But she clenched her jaw against the pain, refusing to stop, beating back any dog that got too close. By the time the heavy steel door finally creaked open, she was bleeding and battered, covered in angry bite marks.

A group of men entered, carrying stun batons. One of them grabbed Citrine by the collar and dragged her out of the room.

"Where are you taking me?" Citrine gasped, struggling to breathe as her shirt tightened around her throat.

The men ignored her, hauling her before a man seated on a leather couch.

He wore a mask, his legs crossed in a display of casual authority. As Citrine was thrown to the floor in front of him, his eyes glinted with interest. "You've brought me a good one this time."