The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 127

Amelia hadn't been paying much attention, at least not until Citrine's next words. Only then did she really focus on the lead dancer's face on stage, her gaze turning a little colder. "Citrine, has she been giving you a hard time at the Carmichael family's house?"

It wasn't hard for Amelia to picture Citrine, newly returned to the Carmichaels, quietly enduring mistreatment without daring to speak up.

Citrine paused, realizing that Amelia was genuinely concerned about her. She smiled, trying to reassure her friend. "Don't worry. She's not exactly in a position to bully me."

Truthfully, Citrine had never bothered to take Regina seriously.

Now that Regina had already been kicked out of the Carmichaels, any lingering resentment Regina might have was useless—Citrine doubted she'd have the chance to make trouble. And even if she tried, Citrine had plenty of ways to put her in her place.

The opening ceremony wrapped up after about half an hour.

It was time for the athletes to compete in their chosen events.

Citrine had only signed up for the three-thousand-meter run, and hers wasn't until the final day.

Amelia, on the other hand, had registered for every event she was good at—almost the entire roster.

So that morning, Citrine trailed along beside Amelia, cheering her on at every turn. By noon, Citrine's voice was so hoarse she could hardly speak, and Amelia's events still weren't over. Finally, Citrine was completely out of steam.

"How many events did you sign up for, anyway?" Citrine asked, a mixture of disbelief and mock accusation in her voice.

She'd never, in her entire life, seen anyone sign up for this many events at a sports meet.

Just then, Amelia finished her last event of the morning and came back, only to be greeted by Citrine's exhausted, accusatory glare.

Amelia rubbed the back of her head, then burst out laughing. "Citrine, I've never seen you look so defeated before."

It was kind of adorable—and a little hilarious.

If only she had a camera, Amelia thought, she'd love to capture this rare side of Citrine forever.

"Excuse me, are these seats—" Citrine looked up just as her gaze landed on a familiar face.

Travis had noticed Citrine the moment she walked in, and honestly, he was surprised.

After all, Regina would never have eaten somewhere like this. She'd always thought slurping noodles was uncouth—far beneath her high-society standards.

Citrine stared at Travis for a moment before greeting him. "Hey, Travis."

Travis's face was unreadable. The man next to him, however, glanced at Citrine in surprise.

Citrine had no idea this guy was the Havencrest Technical College student who'd been gossiping about her earlier that morning.

With Travis silent, his friend Sylvan assumed Citrine was just another girl trying to hit on him. Casually, he cut in, "Sorry, but Travis doesn't add girls on social media."