The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 661

Nigel hadn’t planned on attending the family gathering. He only changed his mind when he found out that his little niece—the same girl who’d deciphered his artwork the other day—would be there.

She was the only person in years who truly understood his paintings. That realization filled him with excitement.

When he finally met Citrine, he felt an immediate connection, as if he’d found a kindred spirit. Without quite knowing why, he found himself genuinely liking this newfound niece.

After a bit of small talk, Hilda excused herself, leading her daughter away.

Partway through, Hilda was flagged down by a group of old friends and business associates, and wandered off to catch up with them.

Feeling a bit bored, Citrine drifted over to the dessert table in search of something sweet.

She couldn’t help but notice how beautifully presented everything was. The little cakes and pastries looked almost too pretty to eat. Citrine swallowed, her appetite instantly piqued.

Just as she reached for a delicate pink butterfly-shaped petit four that had caught her eye, a hand shot out and snatched the plate from right under her fingertips.

Startled, Citrine turned and found herself looking at a girl holding the very cake she’d wanted. The girl stared back at her, her gaze sharp, openly hostile.

It was obvious to anyone watching: this girl was looking for trouble.

Citrine frowned, her patience thinning. “I saw that cake first.”

The other girl just shrugged, her tone dismissive. “So what? I got to it first. That’s how it works, isn’t it?”

There was only one butterfly-shaped cake among all the desserts, and Citrine had fallen for it at first glance. Now, having it snatched away felt like a personal affront.

Worse yet, the cake looked delicious—soft, pink, and sweet. It was a shame she hadn’t even tasted it.

“Give it back,” Citrine said coolly, swallowing her annoyance.

The girl smirked, as though she’d just heard the punchline to a joke. “Give it back? Really? You want it that badly?”

She’d promised herself long ago: never again would she allow herself to be bullied or wronged. If someone pushed her, she’d push back—harder.

Leda Marshall was furious. This little brat looked so sweet and innocent on the outside, but her words were enough to make anyone’s blood boil.

She couldn’t understand why Ms. Saunders would take someone like this home—she clearly didn’t deserve to be Ms. Saunders’s daughter.

If it weren’t for this brat, maybe Ms. Saunders would have chosen her instead. Maybe she and her mother would be living in the Saunders estate right now, with the whole family at their feet.

But ever since this girl had returned, Ms. Saunders hadn’t invited Leda or her mother over in ages. Everything had been ruined by her.

No. She couldn’t let this brat steal Ms. Saunders’s affection.

As Leda fumed, her gaze caught Hilda talking with a group nearby—their little circle was just steps from the dessert table. An idea began to take shape.