The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Citrine had just stepped out of the shower when the Archer family's butler arrived to summon them for dinner.

"We'll be right down," she replied, her gaze flickering away from Sebastian's. There was a trace of panic in her eyes, and she avoided meeting his altogether.

Without glancing back to see Sebastian's expression, Citrine hurried after the butler, keeping her head down.

"What, do I look like I bite?" Sebastian chuckled behind her, unable to help himself.

By the time Sebastian joined them downstairs, Citrine was already seated beside Vester.

She kept her eyes lowered, quietly discussing treatment plans with Vester, never once glancing in Sebastian's direction.

No matter how hard she tried to banish the memory of what had happened upstairs, when Sebastian pulled out the chair across from her, she couldn't stop her heart from tensing up just a little.

Jason, who'd been called into his father's study for a stern lecture the night before, had plenty of opinions about Citrine. Tonight, though, he knew better than to express them.

It wasn't until Darius Archer, the family patriarch, sat at the head of the table that everyone finally picked up their forks.

Vester was always quiet at meals, and with the strained relationship he had with his father, he barely said a word throughout dinner.

Jason looked as if he wanted to speak, but when he caught his father's warning glare, he quickly shut his mouth.

Ileana seemed lost in thought, silent as well. No one noticed the way she watched Sebastian, eyes gleaming with a predatory certainty, as if she could already taste victory.

Throughout the entire meal, Citrine and Sebastian both remained silent. Vester and Jason, meanwhile, exchanged uneasy glances, sensing something was off between the two. The whole table was left to wonder if Citrine and Sebastian had gotten into a fight.

But Darius Archer seemed oblivious. After a while, he brought up the topic of their business collaboration again. Citrine brushed him off politely, saying just enough to move the conversation along.noveldrama

Once dinner was over, Vester asked Citrine to step outside with him.

They found themselves alone in the castle's front garden. Citrine settled onto the old wooden swing, gripping the ropes, her head tilted back as she let herself sway gently.

As the swing creaked and lifted her off the ground, she spoke up, cutting straight to the point. "Mr. Vester, you didn't bring me out here to talk about treatment, did you?"

Vester turned his wheelchair to face her, the corners of his mouth lifting in a subtle, approving smile. "I prefer talking to smart people," he said, his gaze full of quiet respect.

Citrine shot him a look, inviting him to continue.

"What's your take on Darius Archer's business proposal?" Vester didn't answer directly, his tone cautious, probing.

Citrine didn't bite. Instead, she tossed the question back at him. "I'd rather hear your thoughts first, Mr. Vester."

Vester couldn't help but smile at the spark in her eyes. "Getting anything out of you, Ms. Carmichael, is harder than I thought."

Citrine let her feet touch the ground, bringing the swing to a halt. She fixed Vester with a steady look "If you want to know what I think, you'll

have to tell me what you think first."

"In Northriver, we have a saying: honesty for honesty."

"Honesty for honesty... I like that." Maybe it was just because it was Citrine who

said it, but Vester found himself oddly taken with the phrase.

He didn't know why, but when he looked into her eyes, he wanted to trust her. His instincts told him Citrine wouldn't lie to him.

Objectively, if anyone else had said those words, Vester would have scoffed and called them naive. In his eyes, honesty was the world's most overrated currency. But now, he found himself wavering, oddly charmed by this young woman's candor.

After a brief inner struggle, Vester finally gave in.

"Ms. Carmichael, Darius Archer is not the partner you want. The man can't be trusted."

A slow smile spread across Citrine's face.

So, Vester and Darius Archer weren't on the same side after all.

She gave Vester a knowing look, picking up on his lead. "Then who would you recommend as a partner, Mr. Vester?"

"Me." Vester tapped his chest, his meaning unmistakable.