The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 429

That day, Hilda made her stance clear in Crestwood’s high society: if anyone so much as laid a finger on Citrine, they’d be considered an enemy of the Saunders family from that moment on.

When the news reached Kali, she was still recovering in the hospital.

She stared at her brother in disbelief. “How is this possible? Since when did Citrine get involved with the Saunders family?”

Theo shook his head. “No idea. Dad said Hilda showed up at our house today and made some serious threats. If he ever tries to go after Citrine again, there’s no telling what that lunatic would do.”

His voice dropped. “For now, we’ll have to find you a different blood donor.”

Kali pressed her lips together, disappointment clouding her eyes.

So close. If the Saunders family hadn’t intervened, Citrine would’ve become her personal blood bank by now.

Seething, Kali cursed Hilda under her breath.

After a while, something else occurred to her. She looked up at Theo. “By the way—why hasn’t Hastings visited me these past few days?”

It had been almost a week since Hastings last came to the hospital.

Kali had hoped that this would be the perfect opportunity to mend things between them, to get back to how they used to be. She hadn’t expected he’d start avoiding her altogether.

As soon as she asked, Theo’s smile faded, replaced by a more complicated expression.

Noticing her brother’s strange look, Kali frowned. “What is it, Theo? Why do you look so upset?”

Theo was silent for a moment, then fixed her with a serious gaze. “Kali, you can’t keep playing games with your own life.”

All the color drained from Kali’s face; a chill ran through her veins.

She clenched her fists, trying to act clueless. “Theo… What are you talking about?”

Kali’s heart sank like a stone.

She’d put herself through so much and failed to break up Hastings and Citrine. Worse, she might have just pushed them closer together. The thought made her sick.

No wonder he hasn’t visited… He must despise me now.

Theo silently cursed Hastings for being so cold—how could he just leave Kali alone all this time?

Trying to reassure her, he said, “Don’t worry. No matter what, you’re still the little sister he grew up with. He’s always looked out for you. There’s no way he could really hate you.”

Kali felt a bit of the tension in her chest ease. Theo was right. She had made a mistake, but she and Hastings had grown up together. He’d always taken care of her—surely he wouldn’t stay angry forever.

——

A month later, Crestwood’s annual Opulence Ball—a gathering for all the most reputable, high-ranking companies—was about to begin.