The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 576

At first, Park had tried to avoid Citrine, afraid she might hold a grudge and take revenge on him. But now that she’d spotted him, it was too late to hide or lie. He could only speak the truth.

“It wasn’t me. It’s my son,” he admitted.

Citrine glanced at the little boy in Park’s arms and asked gently, “Is it the flu?”

Park nodded, his expression bitter. “Yes.”

“My son’s had a heart arrhythmia since he was very young. The first time he caught the flu, I took him to NeoGen Nexus Hospital. The doctor there prescribed only a minimal dose of medicine, and it delayed his treatment. When things got worse, they said he needed surgery. But the surgeon was incompetent—after the operation, my boy never woke up. He told me the outcome was up to fate.”

Maybe it was something in Citrine’s calm, nonjudgmental tone, but Park found himself letting down his guard. He couldn’t help but share more about his son’s condition.

Citrine’s brow creased thoughtfully. She reached out and felt the boy’s forehead, then asked politely, “Mr. Atkinson, would you mind if I took a look at your son’s surgical incision?”

Park remembered what the nurse had told him and felt a surge of hope. “Of course! Please, go ahead.” Carefully, he lifted his son’s shirt.

Citrine checked the boy’s eyes, took his pulse, and then asked Park a few follow-up questions.

As he answered, Citrine’s frown gradually faded. Finally, she smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. Your son’s condition isn’t as serious as it seems. We’ll do a minor procedure in a bit, and he’ll be just fine.”

Park’s eyes widened in disbelief. “President Carmichael… Are you serious?”

Citrine’s smile was warm and confident. “Absolutely.”

With her words, most of the anxiety gripping Park’s heart melted away.

Citrine smiled. “You quit Blood Rain for your family. That only shows you’re a loyal and devoted person. Why would I hold that against you?”

She grinned, teasing, “Or do you think I’m the kind of person who holds grudges over everything?”

Park was taken aback, scrambling to explain, “No, not at all! I never thought that. You’ve always been… a good person.”

He spoke so quickly he nearly tripped over his own tongue.

He’d always known Citrine as the prodigy who’d founded CICI Group at just eighteen—a born businesswoman. But now, Park realized there was so much more to her.

Beneath that genius exterior was someone with deep kindness, open-mindedness, and a rare capacity for forgiveness.