NovelUSAChapter 439 Sensing the tension in the room, Citrine couldn't help but laugh. "Relax, I'm not going to bite you," she teased. "Seriously, lighten up." She glanced around at her friends. "No matter what my background is, we're still roommates—and friends." The last thing she wanted was for her identity to change the way they treated her.
Her words seemed to break the ice. The girls visibly relaxed and slipped back into their usual selves.
Ingrid looked genuinely moved. "Citrine, you're unbelievable. You're not stuck up at all. I swear, you're the most down-to-earth CEO I've ever met." Lisa grinned. "I can't believe the chairman of a Fortune 500 company is my roommate. Makes Crestwood University feel totally worth it." Jane's eyes practically sparkled as she stared at Citrine. Who could blher? Her idol was standing right in front of her.
She was so excited she could barely get the words out. "Citrine, you're honestly amazing. You're my role model." Listening to their praise, Citrine just smiled. "You're all incredible, too. If you made it to Crestwood, that means we're all exceptional." The girls glowed with pride at her words.
After all, it wasn't every day the chairwoman of CICI Group complimented you.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIn that moment, they made a silent vow: no more skipping 8 a.m. classes. If Citrine could lead by example, so could they.
She was so inspiring-they wanted to follow her lead, not fall behind.
Meanwhile, Hastings was hit with a mix of shock and dread when he heard the news.
He'd never imagined that Citrine was the CEO of CICI Group. All this time, he'd assumed her only connection was to the Carmichael family, and he'd always considered his own status his greatest advantage when dealing with her.
But now, this girl he'd thought of as ordinary suddenly turned out to be the head of a multinational corporation. The realization left him shaken and more than a little anxious.
He'd already been struggling these past few days, unable to snap out of it, and now seeing her ntrending online only made things worse.
He slumped on the couch, shirt collar open, a cigarette dangling from his lips-he'd lost count of how many he'd smoked. The tip glowed and faded, matching his restless mood.
Finally, after hours of wrestling with himself, he changed clothes and drove alone to Citrine's place.
When he arrived, the housekeeper opened the door. Seeing a strange man at the threshold, she didn't let him in right away. Instead, she called out inside, "Miss, someone's here to see you." Citrine appeared a moment later, leisurely cradling her cat in her arms.
Hastings stood frozen, taking in the sight.
She wore a simple nightgown, her, face makeup-free and fresh. Sheet
smiled down at her cat, occasionally dropping a kiss on its head her eyes son t filled with unmistakable affection.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe cat purred in utter contentment, clearly relishing the attention.
Watching her profile, Hastings felt his heart melt. For a moment, he actually envied the cat curled up in her arms. To be that close to her... it looked like pure happiness. Citrine finally glanced up, and upon seeing Hastings at the door, her expression shifted.
"What are you doing here? I thought I made myself clear last time," she said, her tone edged with impatience.
"Citrine, can we talk?" he pleaded, sounding more desperate than he meant to. Ever since their last confrontation, he hadn't had a decent night's sleep. She sighed, knowing he wouldn't leave unless she agreed. "Fine," she said, not bothering to argue.
A flicker of hope crossed Hastings's face as he stepped forward.
But just then, Citrine wrinkled her nose, taking a few steps back. Her expression was one of obvious distaste. "Have you been smoking?" she asked, frowning.
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