The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 410

Citrine fell silent for a long moment after the question, her eyes tinged with an unmistakable regret. Finally, she pressed her lips together and said softly, “I’m just not suited to stay in the service anymore.”

“Why?” Hastings asked.

Her voice was calm, almost distant. “I can’t give the unit my undivided attention anymore.”

Someone consumed by vengeance doesn’t deserve to hold a gun.

Citrine didn’t want to discuss it further and turned her gaze out the window, ending the conversation. Hastings recognized her reluctance and didn’t press.

——

Kali Glenwood was in a state of panic. The brother who used to dote on her more than anyone was becoming increasingly distant, slipping out of her control. Desperate, she’d recently hired someone to tail Hastings.

That day, her informant messaged with an update: Hastings was out having dinner with Citrine and his closest friends.

A few seconds later, photos followed. In them, Hastings and Citrine sat side by side. Citrine was chatting with the others, oblivious, while Hastings watched her the entire time, his eyes never wandering.

Enlarging the image until Citrine’s face nearly filled the screen, Kali glared at it, her own expression twisting with rage.

What did this manipulative woman do to deserve Hastings’ attention? What kind of tricks had she pulled to get him to introduce her to his comrades? Even after Kali had pleaded again and again, Hastings had refused to let her meet them. Yet somehow, he’d brought that homewrecker along without a second thought.

Witch. Schemer.

The longer Kali stewed, the darker her mood grew. She was just about to smash something—her hand already gripping the vase on her nightstand—when the bedroom door swung open.

It had been a while, but Jeanette would recognize that woman anywhere—even if Citrine turned to ashes, she’d know her. If it weren’t for Citrine, the Iversons wouldn’t have gone bankrupt, and the Glenwoods wouldn’t have been forced out of Havencrest.

Just the thought of Citrine made Jeanette’s jaw clench in fury.

She wasn’t sure if Kali and Citrine were friends or foes, so she weighed her words carefully and tested the waters, “Kali, do you know Citrine?”

Kali paused, surprised. “You know her too?” At the mention of Citrine, a flicker of disdain crossed Kali’s eyes.

Jeanette caught it at once. Suddenly, she knew exactly what to say.

With a dramatic sigh, she put on her most aggrieved face. “Kali, you probably don’t know this, but our family was forced out of Havencrest because of Citrine. If it weren’t for her, we never would have lost everything and had to come here to Crestwood to rely on the Glenwoods.”