The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 663

Seeing that Hilda didn’t scold her as Leda had hoped, the icy look in Citrine’s eyes softened a little.

Her voice was calm. “She took my cake, so I slapped her.”

Leda, eyes red and brimming with tears, dabbed at her cheeks and looked pitifully at Hilda. “Aunt Hilda, I didn’t. I just knocked over the cake by accident.”

“I didn’t think my sister’s temper would be so bad. I can’t believe she hit me—just for that.”

As she spoke, she shot a frightened look at Citrine, as if she’d been bullied into silence.

Hilda’s expression darkened, her face clouded and unreadable. She said nothing—an ominous calm before the storm.

Leda’s heart leapt with hope.

She suddenly remembered something from a few years back. Her mother had taken her to a party, but since the Swift family wasn’t well-regarded in Crestwood, the other privileged kids had ganged up on her. They’d yanked her hair, shoved her, and kicked her while she was down.

That was when Hilda had appeared.

She’d stepped between Leda and her tormentors, sending the lot of them fleeing with a single glare.

Hilda had told them, “Leda is under my protection. If anyone dares lay a finger on her again, the Saunders family won’t let it slide.”

Leda still remembered the look in Hilda’s eyes that day. It was the same as now—her face tight with anger.

Clearly, Ms. Saunders was furious.

This time, that wretched Citrine was in real trouble.

Leda couldn’t understand it.

Citrine might be Hilda’s real daughter, but she’d been missing for years. How close could they possibly be, after eighteen years apart? Besides, Citrine didn’t seem to care about Ms. Saunders at all—not like Leda, who always knew how to cheer her up.

It was obvious Ms. Saunders enjoyed her company more than Citrine’s icy distance.

Bitterness welled up inside Leda. She pleaded, voice trembling, “Ms. Saunders, have you forgotten? All those times you stood up for me, all the times you told everyone I was yours to protect. You spoiled me—doesn’t that mean anything now?”

She looked at Hilda, hope flickering desperately in her eyes.

Hilda gazed back, her voice cold and measured. “Yes, I protected you. I looked out for you. But don’t think it was because I loved you. It was only because you were the same age as my daughter. Every time I saw you, I thought of her.”

Leda shook her head, refusing to accept it. “I don’t believe you. You say I reminded you of your daughter, but there are plenty of girls her age. Why was it only me? Why did you care for me, help me, treat me like I was special?”