Chapter 509 Everyone present heard every word of the exchange between the two women.
Kali had listened as well, but what truly surprised her was discovering that the Vitaflux had originally cfrom Citrine-and that Hastings had given it to her. If Hastings was willing to hand over something as vital as Vitaflux, he must care for her deeply.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtA flicker of excitement sparked in Kali's eyes. She strode over to them and forced a smile at Citrine. "Citrine, please don't be upset. Hastings only gavethe Vitaflux because I haven't been well lately-he was just worried about me, that's all." Citrine's expression soured with annoyance. "Don't call'sister.' We're not related by blood, and today I'm here as the chairwoman of CICI Group. You should addressas President Carmichael. Let's not pretend we're family." Kali's face paled, her smile freezing awkwardly. She clenched her jaw, barely managing to choke out, "I'm sorry, President Carmichael." If Citrine hadn't reminded her, Kali might have forgotten that the woman she loathed was now the powerful head of CICI Group. And unfortunately, she couldn't afford to offend her-not when Talbot was so eager to strike a deal with her.
Citrine paid her no further attention and pressed on, "So, you gave the Vitaflux to Jeanette?" Kali nodded, owning up to it. "Yes. Jeanette is still part of our Glenwood family- she's my sister, after all. I heard her kidneys haven't been doing well, and her health's been fragile, so I thought I'd do something kind and pass the Vitaflux on to her." Honestly, Citrine had expected Kali to be at least a bit shrewder than Jeanette, but it turned out she was just as clueless.
Citrine's lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. "So, you gave her the Vitaflux out of sisterly love and concern for her health, is that right?" There was something unreadable in Citrine's eyes. Kali suddenly had a sinking feeling, though she couldn't say why. Still, she nodded. "Jeanette is my sister-it's only natural that I care about her, isn't it?" The guests around them had been listening, and now a murmur of admiration rippled through the hall.
"Ms. Glenwood really is loyal and kind. Beautiful inside and out-no wonder she's Crestwood's leading socialite." "The Glenwoods are lucky to have such a generous, family-oriented young woman." "I never realized the Glenwood sisters were so close." On and on the compliments went, until Citrine suddenly let out a laugh-sharp and biting.
"So loyal and kind? That's rich," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
The guests turned, puzzled. "What do you mean by that, President Carmichael?" Citrine didn't answer directly.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmInstead, she looked right at Kali and asked, "Ms. Glenwood, if I recall correctly your sister Jeanette was only recently brought back into the family by your uncle Dick. Meanwhile, your grandfather has raised you since you were a child. Tell me, which of the two are you closer to?" Kali didn't understand where Citrine was going, but she replied anyway, a hint of irritation in her voice. "Of course I'm closer to my grandfather, President Carmichael. Isn't that obvious?" Citrine smiled, undeterred. She
raised her voice so everyone could hear. "Jeanette may ay not be incperfect health, but she's young-her life isn't in danger without Vitaflux. evel
Meanwhile, your grandfather's critically ill and desperately needs Vitaflux to survive. Everyone here? knows that Yet Ms. Glenwood, who claims her grandfather is dearest to her, chose to hand the Vitaflux to Jeanette instead. Such a dutiful granddaughter." Her words hung in the air, crystal clear. The guests' gazes shifted, their looks toward Kali turning strange, even suspicious.
Kali realized belatedly what was happening, her face draining of color.
"That's not I didn't mean it like that!" she protested, panic rising in her voice.
Citrine gave a cool, dismissive smile. "Regardless of your intentions, you knew your grandfather Reeded m Vitaflux to survive, yet you withheld it and gave it to a sister who only just rejoined the family. By any measure, that's not just a lack of loyalty-it's downright ungrateful."