The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Citrine didn't notice anything unusual, but Sebastian caught every flicker of emotion on the others' faces.

Damn that bastard-did they really think he was invisible?

Sebastian clenched his jaw, cursing Vester under his breath for having no shame.

Not far away, Darius Archer glared daggers at Citrine, his face twisted with resentment.

So that was it. No wonder things had gone sideways-someone from his own family was conspiring with that infuriating Northriver girl. If only he'd taken care of her when she still lived under his roof. And that traitor-he should've smothered the brat when he was a child.

Meanwhile, Vester seemed entirely focused on Citrine, so caught up in the Northriver girl that he didn't even notice the venomous look Darius was shooting

his way.

He turned to Citrine, voice earnest. "Ms. Carmichael, would you mind stepping outside for a moment?"

"Of course." After all, he had helped her earlier-she couldn't refuse.

She glanced back at Sebastian. "I'll just be a moment."

Once Citrine and Vester left the room, Sebastian's carefully composed expression fell away.

He stalked off to a quiet corner, face hardening, unable to hide his frustration any longer.

Ileana's eyes followed him hungrily. She'd thought they'd never meet again, but fate, it seemed, had a sense of humor. With her father's bankruptcy, her mood had been sour anyway-what better time to find a man to blow off some steam? And here he was, practically delivered to her doorstep.

Confidence had always come naturally to Ileana. She picked up a glass of wine and sauntered over.

"Mr. Vesper. Fancy seeing you again."

She flicked her hair, gaze full of certainty, as if she'd already won.

Sebastian looked up, his mood already dark, his expression turning positively glacial.

"What do you want?" His tone was ice-cold.

The more aloof he became, the more obsessed Ileana felt.

"Can't I just come over to talk?"

Sebastian's brow furrowed deeply. "What is it you really want?"

She smiled, bold and shameless as ever. "Mr. Vesper, how about being my boyfriend?"

Magnolia was a city where no one was shy about what they wanted. Ileana had never been the bashful type—she always spoke her mind.

Sebastian let out a humorless laugh and rejected her flatly. "I already have a girlfriend. I'm not interested in cheating."

Unfazed, Ileana countered, "Mr. Vesper, as far as I know, your girlfriend is with Vester right now."

Sebastian's eyes grew even colder.

Ileana pressed on, undeterred. "Vester's star is rising fast, and it's obvious he's interested in your girlfriend. Do you really think she'll stay loyal to you?"

"Vester's obsessive when it comes to what he wants. If he sets his mind on someone, nothing's going to stop him. Do you really think you can outmatch him?"

When Sebastian arrived, he'd only

introduced himself as Citrine's boyfriend, Back when he'd visited the Archer mansion, he'd seemed to hang on Citrine's every word. Ileana assumed he was just some nobody-no power, no status-so she saw nothing wrong with being so blunt.

Sebastian's expression soured further, anger simmering just beneath the surface. The thought of Citrine alone with that man made his

blood boil. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked.

Qunoveldrama

Ileana, oblivious, went on, swirling her drink. "Honestly, you'd be better off with me: Sure, my father's lost everything, but Vester is still my uncle As long as I'm an Archer money will never be a problem. Stick with me and I guarantee you'll never have to play second fiddle to Citrine Carmichael again."

She thought her pitch was irresistible, but Sebastian didn't so much as blink.

Just as Ileana was about to press further, a furious shout cut her off, making her jump.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Get lost."