NovelUSAChapter 513 Compared to Monica and Wade, Hilda's face was unreadable; if anything, her expression had grown a shade darker.
Wade and Monica exchanged a puzzled glance before Wade finally spoke up. "Aunt Hilda, shouldn't you be happy for your niece? Citrine's accomplished so much-why do you look so grim?" As their words faded, Citrine, too, turned to Hilda in confusion, her eyes searching her mother's face.
Noticing her daughter's bewildered gaze, Hilda gave a bitter smile. "My poor Citrine she must have suffered so much over the years." She went on quietly, "If Citrine's only this outstanding because she's endured so much hardship, then I almost wish she'd grown up a rebellious child who didn't care about grades or 'success.' I'd rather she be ordinary and happy than brilliant and hurting." Aside from what had happened to Citrine overseas, Hilda had investigated every detail of her daughter's life back home.
Before turning three, Citrine had been taken away by a middle-aged man—a drunken gambler who abused her and forced her to scavenge for scraps to feed them both.
Then, she'd been adopted by Sawyer Iverson. For less than a year, life seemed to improve, until Sawyer brought Aline and her daughter home. From then on, peace vanished from Citrine's life. At eleven, the Iverson family eventually sent her away to Mirage Cay.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThough Hilda's contacts hadn't been able to uncover what had happened to Citrine on Mirage Cay, she knew all too well the island's reputation. The horrors there were said to make even her difficult life at hseem mild by comparison.
Under such circumstances, Citrine's excellence could only have been forged by necessity. People saw her poise, her achievements, but only she knew how many scars and hardships lay beneath the surface.
Hearing Hilda's words, Citrine froze, her lashes trembling as if she couldn't believe her mother would ever say such things.
All her life, Citrine had been taught that strength was the only way to survive-that to be liked, to be safe, she had to be exceptional and useful, or else she'd be powerless.
But Hilda seemed not to care about her achievements; she cared only about whether Citrine had suffered.
For a fleeting moment, Citrine felt the warmth of a mother's love-something she'd almost forgotten how to recognize.
But as Hilda's gaze lingered on her, Citrine looked away, uneasy and awkward. She lied, "I've been fine. No one's ever madesuffer." Hilda could see right through the lie. She lowered her head, guilt and pain flickering in her eyes, but when she looked up again, she was composed, the mask firmly back in place.
A few days later, the Watkins family held their annual charity gala in Crestwood, drawing a who's who of the city's elite.
Citrine had reached a point in her career where attending such events was optional, but with her Blood Rain project still expanding, sheneeded the connections-every gala was an opportunity to meet new contacts, size up business leaders, and decide where to extend her next olive branch.
Ever since Scales's birthday celebration, news had spread like wildfire: not only was Citrine CEO of the CICI Group, but she was also the top research specialist at the World's leading medical institute. Tonight, the number of guests seeking her favor at the gala only multiplied.
Meanwhile, Kali and Jeanette had gone to extraordinary lengths to sneak in. Their reputations in Crestwood had been in tatters since Scales's birthday, so scoring a invitation was impossible-if not for Theo and Quentin Aldridge. After ☐ much pleading, Kali convinced the brothers to let her and Jeanette tag along as their plus-ones.
Once inside, Kali and Jeanette exchanged a conspiratorial smile. Their eyes locked on Citrine across the room, each gaze filled with loathing.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmRemembering the video on the flash drive, Kali felt her blood simmer with anticipation.
Citrine Carmichael, tonight I'll make sure your reputation is destroyed.
The Watkins family, who hosted tonight's event, were known for keeping to themselves. They rarely mingled with other powerful families in Crestwood, though their status wasn't far below the Glenwoods-and even the Glenwoods were careful not to cross them.
Everyone in Crestwood knew that Mr. Watkins doted on his wife, Mamie. Kind-hearted and devoted to charity, she'd made it her mission to help others, and her husband gladly funded her causes with staggering sums each year. But tonight's charity gala wasn't just about raising money for girls in need; Mrs. Watkins also saw it as a chance to scout out eligible young men for her daughter.
The two women were chatting quietly when, suddenly, they caught sight of Citrine surrounded by a crowd of admirers. Both mother and daughter stared in astonishment, unable to believe what they were seeing.
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