The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 72

Perhaps he already knew the answer in his heart—he just didn't want to say it out loud.

Sawyer pressed on, "But your sister knows she was wrong. I've had her reflect on her actions over and over these past few days."

"What does that have to do with me?" Citrine's irritation was mounting, and it was clear in her voice.

Sawyer sighed, the exhaustion etched deep in his eyes. "Jeanette's already faced the consequences. People online are tearing her apart, and now everyone at school—students and teachers—knows what she did. Their opinions of her aren't exactly kind. If this keeps up, it's going to seriously hurt her chances of getting into a good college."

He was supposed to be apologizing, but every word he spoke was in Jeanette's favor. Citrine found it deeply annoying.

"She brought this on herself. No one forced her to set me up. Whatever's happening now, she has only herself to blame." Citrine took a sip of water, her gaze icy.

Sawyer was at a loss for words. "But… Jeanette is your sister." He hadn't expected Citrine to harbor this much resentment toward her own family.

"I have nothing to do with the Iverson family. Stop insulting me."

Citrine was growing impatient with the same tired arguments repeating over and over. She couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"If you're not going to get to the point, I'm leaving."

Jeanette's face went pale with panic. "Please, don't go, sis!"

It was the first time Citrine had ever seen her so anxious—so different from her usual arrogance. Citrine almost found it amusing and sat back down.

Jeanette spoke through tears, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. "I really know I was wrong, I swear. People online are saying horrible things about me. I can barely show my face at school anymore."

She sure could cry, Citrine thought. Maybe in a past life she was made of water.

Everyone in the room was staring at Citrine, waiting for her response, as if a single word from her could set everything right.

Citrine smiled faintly. "I never said I'd clear her name."

"You—you can't be serious!" Aline burst out, slamming her hand on the table as she stood. Just thinking about her daughter being bullied online made her heart ache.

"Well, I've finished my meal, so I'll be going now." Citrine didn't even look her way. Under the gaze of everyone present, she stood up calmly and headed for the door—as if the only reason she'd come was for dinner.

"Citrine, can't you just forgive us?" Sawyer's voice was heavy with disappointment.

Citrine shot him a cold look, her eyes full of scorn. "Let's be real, you didn't invite me here to patch things up. This whole little setup was just to get me to clear Jeanette's name, and you know it."

She paused, letting the words sink in. "Don't think I don't see through it. If I say anything on Jeanette's behalf, I get dragged into her mess—and I get nothing out of it. Do you really take me for a fool?"