The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 811 In the days that followed, Sebastian started "running into❞ her even more often. To call them coincidences would be a stretch; it was clear he'd planned every meeting well in advance.

Citrine wasn't stupid. She saw right through it from the start.

Since there was no use trying to dodge him, she simply gave in and let things happen as they would.

That afternoon, Sebastian arrived right on time, just as he had every other day. The moment Citrine stepped out of the school gates, she saw his familiar car parked by the curb. Sebastian leaned casually against the hood, his eyes lighting up the second he spotted her. He waved, grinning with such warmth it was impossible not to notice. She had to admit, he did have a certain charm when he smiled-gentle, inviting, the sort of guy who made you feel like the world was a little softer. Citrine had always liked men with that kind of easy warmth. She found herself staring, momentarily lost in thought, before snapping out of it and making her way over. Sebastian's smile grew even wider as she approached. He looked her square in the eye. "There's a new movie out. Want to go see it together?" His gaze was bright, full of hope.

"Sure," Citrine replied in the end, unable to bring herself to say no.

Sebastian's face lit up with delight. He quickly moved to open the passenger door for her.

She gave him a quick glance and slid into the seat without another word.

They headed downtown to the main shopping center. Sebastian picked up the tickets he'd reserved, then bought popcorn and drinks before they made their way into the theater.

The movie was a big release, and the place was packed. By the tthey found their seats, the lights were already dimming and the opening credits were rolling.

Meanwhile, in the very back row, Theo Glenwood and Quentin Aldridge spotted Citrine as she sat down. They both spoke up at once.

"Citrine." "Citrine." "Guys, keep it down. This is a movie theater," Kali Glenwood hissed, sitting between them. She shot Citrine a withering glare filled with jealousy and resentment. What made her so special that she could be with Sebastian? Kali forced herself to keep calm, worried the boys would go storming down to confront Citrine and leave her behind. It had taken forever to get Theo and Quentin to cout with her today; there was no way she'd let Citrine ruin it.

She looked at them with a silent plea in her eyes.

Still, her mind was in chaos. Watching Sebastian, she remembered how he'd appeared at the auction as the chairman of Stellaris Group. Was it true? If it was, what right did Citrine have to be with someone like that? Kali had grown up with Theo and Quentin; they exchanged a look but said nothing more.

Even so, neither of them had any interest in the film anymore. Their eyes stayed glued to Citrine.

Theo could hardly stand the sight of the man sitting next to her.

Citrine and Sebastian, oblivious to all this, were focused on the movie.

When the credits rolled and they made their way out of the theater, Theo finally couldn't hold back. He pushed through the crowd to catch up to them. "Citrine." The sound of his voice made both Citrine and Sebastian stop in their tracks. They turned to find Theo storming toward them, his expression thunderous.

"What's going on between you two?" Theo demanded, glaring at them.

Citrine hadn't expected to run into him here. She frowned, suddenly irritated.

Sebastian noticed her discomfort and stepped in, blocking Theo's line of sight. His tone was cold. "And what business is it of yours? Do we need to check in with you about our relationship?" Theo's eyes darkened.

Ever since the auction, when he'd learned Sebastian was the chairman of Stellaris Group, he'd been unable to make sense of it. If Sebastian really was the chairman, why had he always let Theo and Quentin walk all over him in the past? But if he wasn't, then how had he'shown up at the auction in that role? Nothing added up. But one thing was clear: he wasn't about to let anyone take Citrine away from him.

His voice was icy as he warned, "Sebastian, I don't care who you are. Citrine is mine. Stay away from her-or you'll regret it." Sebastian frowned slightly, but didn't bother to dwell on the question of his identity.

He met Theo's glare head-on, just as forceful. "Letmake this clear, Theo. I'm not going anywhere. And Citrine isn't yours, so stop kidding yourself." "You..." Theo was livid. In his past life, whenever something like this happened, Citrine would always take his side. Now, almost by reflex, he turned to look at her, searching for a shred of hope.

But when their eyes met, all he saw was coldness-a detached indifference, as if she were a stranger watching from afar.

Theo pressed his lips together, all his fight draining away.

Just then, Quentin hurried over and yanked Theo back, regarding him with a complicated expression.

"Theo, the Cooper family is under investigation—everyone except m Hastings Cooper is being questioned. Do you really want to get tangled up with Citrine right now?" Just a few days ago, the entire Cooper family had been brought in for questioning by the police, and none of them had cout yet.

Quentin had only learned afterward that it was Citrine who'd submitted the evidence against them.

He turned on Citrine, his face twisted with anger. "Citrine Carmichael, o'm Hastings was crazy about you! Why'd you have to do this to him? What good does it do you to send his whole family to jail?" His voice was shaking with outrage, as if his friend had suffered a terrible injustice.

Citrine let out a sharp, bitter laugh. It was almost funny, how naïve he was.

They'd only gotten what they deserved.

She looked at Quentin, her gaze almost cruel. "You really are a little rabbit, aren't you? You can barely keep your own head above water, but you still have the nerve to worry about someone else's family." "What do you mean?" Quentin stared at her, bewildered.

wheption "Nothing," Citrine replied with a soft, mocking smile. She had no intention of spelling it out for him not when his parents were planning to tell him it anyway. Not that it would make any difference. The Aldridge family was doomed, sooner or later. There was nothing he could do to change that.