The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 28

As soon as she stepped out of the police station, Citrine was stopped at the entrance by Amelia.

"I'll wait for you in the car," Raymond said, casting a glance at Citrine. He headed to the parking lot, leaving the two women alone.

Now it was just the two of them standing by the entrance.

"It was your choice to get involved. I'm not going to apologize, and I don't feel guilty about it."

Citrine was the first to break the uneasy silence. She knew that after today, she was likely to lose this friend.

A restless irritation simmered in her chest, making her words come out sharper than she intended.

After a moment, she added, "I told you I'd have your back. The Chase family won't ever be a threat to you or your family. That much, I can promise."

Amelia's heart twisted with guilt. She hurried to reassure her, "Citrine, I never asked you to apologize. And there's no reason for you to feel guilty."

She had never blamed Citrine for any of it.

Citrine had always tried to help her, but her own family never appreciated it. In the end, for the sake of money, they signed the settlement papers. Now it was Amelia who felt she'd let Citrine down.

"From now on, just pretend you don't know me at school. I can't promise there won't be another family like the Chases who'll try to make things hard for you."

Citrine looked at her, her voice distant and flat, as if she were a porcelain doll—beautiful, cold, and on the verge of shattering.

Amelia had never seen Citrine so resolute before.

She was saying all the right things to push her away, but the look in her eyes was pleading—don't leave me.

For the first time, Amelia felt she truly understood her. And her heart ached for Citrine.

She smiled at her, just like she used to.

"You're my best friend. Why would I ever pretend I don't know you?" she said, her voice steady and certain.

"Then I'll see you tomorrow."

Citrine froze for a beat, the distance in her eyes melting away. Genuine warmth spread across her face in a rare, heartfelt smile.

They were still friends.

"See you tomorrow."

Ever since the day she'd come back, she'd set her sights on the Chase family, and what happened with Amelia had simply accelerated her timeline.

In the end, the only surprise had been Raymond's involvement.

But even without him, she would have taken over the Chases anyway.

"You're growing up so fast, sometimes I can hardly keep up with you," Ogden said with a sudden sigh on the other end of the line.

Sometimes, he wished his granddaughter's life could be simpler—happier.

Citrine paused, then said softly, "No matter how much I grow up, you'll always be my grandpa. That'll never change."

There was a long silence. Finally, Ogden asked, "So you're the one who leaked the news about the Chases too?" It wasn't really a question.

"I did," Citrine answered honestly.

Ogden Winthrop burst out laughing.

"I knew it! You little fox, you've had your eye on the Chases for ages, haven't you?"