NovelUSAChapter 558 Citrine's answer was crisp and clear.
The moment Raymond heard her, he believed her without a second thought.
After all, the way she declared she had no interest in romance was so blunt-it was obvious she hadn't developed any feelings yet.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLooks like that kid doesn't stand a chance.
Thinking of the way Sebastian looked at his daughter, Raymond let out a cold, dismissive laugh.
But when he turned to Citrine, his eyes softened in a way that was almost comically gentle. "Anyway, if you ever do start dating, promise you'll tellfirst. I need to make sure he's good enough for you." Citrine didn't see herself falling in love anytsoon, but when she met Raymond's earnest gaze, she nodded and gave him her word.
After New Year's, winter in Crestwood grew sharper and colder.
It was around this tthat the heirs of the city's two most powerful families vanished one after the other. Almost simultaneously, both families received letters from Mirage Cay.
The day after the letters arrived, both houses sent representatives to see Citrine, insisting they had to quit Blood Rain. No matter how many questions she asked, she couldn't get a straight answer out of them.
It wasn't until Citrine ordered Crestwood's detective agency to investigate with everything they had that she finally learned the truth: both families had been threatened by Mirage Cay.
Word of their departure spread quickly through Blood Rain's ranks.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmNow, rumors were everywhere online-people claimed Citrine had offended someone from Mirage Cay. Since Mirage Cay couldn't get to her directly, they were targeting Blood Rain's members instead, kidnapping the heirs of the two families as a warning.
The gossip only grew wilder.
In recent years, Mirage Cay's In reputation for violence and human trafficking had only gotten worse. Alt of Crestwood-and even people abroad had cto understand just how terrifying the organization was. With two heirs already taken, fear spread like wildfire through Blood Rain. Everyone worried their family would be next.
That afternoon, the Blood Rain corporate group chat was a mess: CEOs, directors, and owners all panicking, most of them lining up to announce their withdrawal from Blood Rain.
Ms. Tyler: "President Carmichael, we only have one son. If Mirage Cay gets their hands on him, my wife would never survive it." "President Carmichael, I have aging parents and young kids to care for. Our company is small, we have no powerful connections. For us, staying alive is the only thing that matters. I'm sorry, but I have to put my family first and leave Blood Rain, even if it makeslook cowardly." "President Carmichael, please—if you ever valued the loyalty we showed you at the start, let us go now." "President Carmichael, maybe you don't realize how terrifying Mirage Cay really is, but every single person in this group does. Don't blus-we have no choice." "Today, someone else's child has gone missing. Tomorrow, it could be ours. We can't help being afraid." "Those Mirage Cay bastards are absolute monsters. If we stay with Blood Rain, we're basically hanging our families' lives over a pit."
Message after message, all variations on the stheme: fear, ΟΠ worry, and the desperate urge to And the leave Blood Rain. Citrine scrolled through them, her head pounding with frustration.
Out of habit, she reached for her pocket, looking for her cigarettes. All she found was a pack of peppermint candies. She popped one in her mouth, letting the cool flavor work through her throat, and felt the edge of her irritation start to fade. She knew exactly how ruthless Mirage Cay could be. After a moment, she opened the group chat and sent out a single, decisive message:
"Anyone who wants to leave can go see Carlotta Yarbrough and sign the paperwork if you want to keep dur e business partnerships, we'll stick to the original terms. If you'd rather not, you're free to walk away, no penalty and no strings attached."
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