NovelUSAChapter 489 "What's the Rackham Group supposed to be, anyway?" Citrine didn't even bother to spare Jarvis a proper glance. She let out a cold, dismissive laugh. "You? Seriously? Not even close." It was the first ta woman had ever put Jarvis in his place like that, and his face flushed a deep, angry red.
He jabbed a finger at Citrine, his voice rising with indignation. "You really don't know what's good for you, do you? You should feel honored that I've taken an interest in you." Citrine finally looked up at him, clicking her tongue in mock pity.
She sized him up from head to toe before speaking. "Dark circles under your eyes, complexion sallow, you look exhausted. Letgive you sadvice: try cleaning up your act for the sake of your health. If you keep living this recklessly, you'll wind up with nothing—and no one to carry on your name." Jarvis's eyes went wide, mortified and furious. "What the hell are you saying? Who are you calling weak?" Citrine glanced over at the other two men, then shrugged. "Well, unless anyone else here is sweating bullets and looking like death warmed over, I think it's obvious who I mean." Jarvis wiped his forehead-sure enough, he was sweating-and his expression grew even darker. He glared at Citrine, voice low and threatening. "You bitch. Spouting nonsense. You really want to test me? I could end you." The look on Citrine's face turned icy. Suddenly, without warning, she slapped Jarvis hard across the face. She didn't hold back-her palm stung from the blow. Rubbing her hand, Citrine said evenly, "Go ahead. Try me." Jarvis stared at her in disbelief. "Did you just hit me?" He raised his hand and started toward her. "I'll make you pay for that." Carney's expression changed; he moved to step in, but before he could, one of Jarvis's lackeys rushed forward and grabbed Jarvis by the arm. He leaned in and whispered urgently, "Mr. Rackham, you're messing with the wrong person. That's President Carmichael-the CEO of CICI Group." Jarvis's face drained of color.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtCICI Group. Those words alone reminded him of his father's warning that morning -out of everyone he might cross today, President Carmichael was the one person he absolutely could not afford to offend.
Before Jarvis could utter another word, his lackey bowed repeatedly to Citrine. "We're so sorry, President Carmichael. We didn't recognize you. Please, don't hold it against us." With that, he hurried Jarvis away, the latter's face still twisted with embarrassment and anger.
Suddenly, only Citrine and Carney were left in the room.
Only now did Carney realize that Citrine had just stepped in to protect him.
He pressed his lips together, then spoke in a quiet, grateful voice. "Thank you, President Carmichael." Since his family's bankruptcy, Carney had gone from a sheltered trust-fund kid to a penniless nobody, a target for anyone who wanted to kick him while he was down. Relatives kept their distance former friends mocked him, and those who disliked him made his life hell every chance they got.
It had been a long tsince anyone had shown Carney genuine kindness- Citrine was the first.
Maybe that kindness was why, standing in front of her now, he finally found a little courage.
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He bit his lip, letting his vulnerability show. "President Carmichael, if om don't get this contract, my parents...
th they have their legs broken." For the first time, he looked to her for sympathy. When Citrine didn't respond, Carney spoke up again, desperation creeping into his voice. "I'd do anything for your help. I could bon et your lover, your companion, whatever you want. Just... please, help me."
Citrine's eye twitched in disbelief. In two lifetimes, no one had evertitied to one throw themselves at her like this. She almost laughed in exasperation. "What a naive little trust-fund boy. No wonder you couldn't protect yourself when your family lost everything." She didn't sugarcoat it. "I'm not interested in you, and I'm not about to keep you as a plaything."
She fixed him with a sharp look.
"There are plenty of ways to clawn your way out of the mud, Carney. You just picked the most self-destructive one." That last line hit Carney like a punch to the gut.
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