NovelUSAChapter 282 "I really don't know what kind of parents raise a kid like that-absolute troublemaker. If that's how they turn out, they'll only cause chaos in the world later on." Jeanette listened to the crowd's scornful words until she couldn't bear it anymore. She finally burst out of the room.
Meanwhile, Clifford glanced at Sawyer, his tone bleak. "Dad, do you see it now? That's who Jeanette really is." Sawyer pressed his lips together, at a loss for words. After all, the security footage didn't lie.
When the Christmas party ended, school let out for winter break.
Winters in Havencrest were bitterly cold, and for several days, Citrine barely left her bed. She felt down and listless.
She hated winter more than anything.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtFor people struggling to get by, winter was a nightmare. Citrine remembered all too well how, as a child, she didn't even own a proper coat. In the dead of winter, she washed her face and cooked with icy water, her hands always swollen and raw with chilblains.
No matter how cold it got, she had to go out and scavenge for scrap to survive. One wrong move and she could have frozen to death on the street.
Winter gave her life, and just as easily, threatened to take it away.
Citrine stayed in this half-awake haze until the day before New Year's Eve.
That day, she wanted nothing more than to hide away in her room, but Raymond told her there was a Carmichael family gathering that evening. She had no choice but to go.
When they arrived at the venue, Citrine froze in surprise.
She turned instinctively to Raymond. "Why are the lights off?" Raymond didn't answer.
A second later, the room suddenly lit up with a wash of colorful lights, and a gentle birthday song began to play. Now Citrine could see everything clearly.
Every corner of the room was filled with fresh flowers, and on the lawn, there were dazzling arrangements shaped like trees-trees made entirely of cash, each one artfully constructed. The whole place looked warm and beautiful.
All the tables, chairs, and furniture were custom-made, exuding luxury. It must have cost a fortune.
Citrine's hands tightened nervously as she glanced at Raymond. "I've never celebrated my birthday before." Raymond ruffled her hair affectionately. "How could a child go without a birthday? Today is your eighteenth, Citrine. I missed the first seventeen, but from now on, I'll be here for every single one." "All of us-every member of the Carmichael family is here tonight," Weston added, nodding for once instead of bickering with Raymond.
Looking at Weston, Salome, and Manley, Citrine suddenly broke into a smile.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"And of course, your friends are here too," Raymond added, just as Travis, Amelia, Carlotta, and the rest cin, wheeling an enormous birthday cake.
"That's right, Citrine. You have us now." "We'll always be here for you." "Happy birthday, Citrine. Wishing you joy and peace every year."
Apart from her first year after Sawyer brought her home, Citrine, kad never celebrated her birthday.
Her birthday always fell just before the New Year, but Jeanette would Sawyer off on m insist on dragg" on right before the sfamily holiday. By the tthey returned, Citrine's birthday would have already passed. She never imagined she'd get to celebrate her birthday a second tin her life.
"Thank you, all of you." Looking at the Carmichaels and her dearest friends gathered around, Citrine felt something stir inside her.
Travis set his hands gently on her shoulders and guided her toward the towering cake. "Birthday girl, make a wish and cut the cake." "I'm your big brother, so the first slice has to go to me!" he announced.
"No way, I'm your grandfather. First piece is mine!" Manley chimed in.
"Hand it over-I'm not giving up my slice to anyone!" Salprotested, grinning. Surrounded by laughter and the cheerful bickering over the cake, Citrine felt, for the first time, like she was truly part of the celebration. The noise didn't bother her; it only made her feel warm and welcome. Her heart brimmed with an unfamiliar, peaceful happiness.
At that very moment, fireworks suddenly burst in a riot of color outside the window.
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