The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 766 Realizing there was no way to keep up the charade any longer, Raymond's father, Weston Carmichael, let out a heavy sigh and finally decided to cclean to his granddaughter.

"The pain you suffered on Mirage Cay has always been a thorn in your father's heart. From the very beginning, he was determined to go to the Federated States of Magnolia to look into what happened there. As soon as he wrapped up his work overseas, he started investigating Mirage Cay." "But the whole thing is locked down tight. Anyone who knows anything has been silenced, so your dad couldn't find a single lead. After a few days of hitting dead ends, he decided to go to Mirage Cay himself." "Ever since he left for Mirage Cay, he's cut off all contact with us. The people I sent after him haven't been able to find any trace of him either." Weston's voice was utterly exhausted, filled with helplessness.

On the other end of the line, Citrine's tone dropped. "How long has he been gone?" Weston replied in a low voice, "It's been a month." At that, Citrine's voice shot up. "Why didn't you tellsooner?" "Your father wouldn't allow it. He was afraid you'd worry," Weston answered.

Truthfully, none of the Carmichaels wanted to bring this up with Citrine. They were afraid she'd be reminded of those painful memories, afraid she'd be heartbroken all over again.

Not wanting his granddaughter to do anything reckless, Weston hurried to comfort her. "Sweetheart, don't worry. Your uncle Manley and I will handle this. You just focus on your studies, all right?" Citrine gave a half-hearted reply and hung up the phone.

How could she possibly stay calm, knowing Raymond Carmichael was missing on Mirage Cay, his fate uncertain? She simply couldn't.

She pulled out her suitcase, packed a few changes of clothes and stoiletries, then tucked the bag away in her closet.

By now, her mother should have already left the house.

No matter what, Citrine knew she had to go out. She pressed her ear against the door, listened for a while, and, hearing nothing outside, tiptoed out of her room.

She crept downstairs, but as she reached the foot of the stairs, she heard a soft cough behind her.

Citrine froze. Turning around, she saw Wade Saunders sitting up on the couch. He eyed her warily. "Citrine, where do you think you're going?" Citrine said nothing, instead putting on her best vulnerable, doe-eyed look-one that would melt even the hardest heart.

Wade lasted only a moment before he caved.

"Don't look atlike that, Citrine." He cleared his throat, trying to sound firm. "Aunt askedto keep an eye on you. No matter what, you're not leaving today." Mirage Cay was a dangerous place, and Citrine was family they'd only just gotten back. Even without their aunt's request, he wouldn't let his little sister go.

Citrine sighed, exasperated. "Wade, what if I insist on leaving?" Wade's brow furrowed deeper, his voice just as resolute. "Citrine, Mirage Cay is far too dangerous. I can't let you go, no matter what you say." "I finally have a little sister-I'm not losing you," Wade said, his voice catching.

Citrine understood. She knew he was only worried for her.

But with Raymond's fate hanging in the balance, how could she just sit back and do nothing? "Wade, Raymond is my father. As long as he's on Mirage Cay, I can't rest for a single day. Besides, I know that place better than anyone Please letgo." Her voice was pleading. Wade turned his head, unable to watch her suffer, his tone softening.

"Citrine, if anything happens to you, it'll destroy Aunt. You're her whole world." Citrine promised again and again, "I'll take care of myself, I swear. Please, help me." "No." Wade still refused.

Seeing this wasn't working, Citrine decided to play her trump card.

With tears in her eyes, she crouched down and began, "Back when I lived with the lyersons, I could only watch as Jeanette was showered with love by Sawyer. Whenever Jeanette and I had a conflict, Sawyer always took her side. I knew him longer than she did, but because I wasn't his real daughter, he could just castaside. I was jealous. I resented them."

She sniffled and continued, "It wasn't until I returned to the Carmichaels that I finally had what I'd always envied, Raymond doted on me. endlessly, always putfirst For the first time, I knew what it was to be foved." sŵ "He's in trouble now. I can't just stand by. Wade, I can't lose Raymond. Please- letgo." Facing away from Wade, Citrine's whole body was trembling.

Wade was completely thrown by her tears. Flustered, he hurried over and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "Hey, hey, don't cry, Citrine." She lifted her head, eyes red and glistening with tears as she met his gaze.

They stared at each other for a long moment before Wade, at last, gave in.

He pressed his lips together, aching you win I'll with guilt. "Okay, ok her eyes, help Citrine wiped her eyes, ER You" Citrine half-playing along. "Really?" He nodded. "Yeah." She dabbed away the rest of her tears, keeping up the act. "Then I'll just step out for a bit." This time, Wade didn't stop her.

After she left and a few minutes had passed, Wade's brow furrowed as an uneasy feeling crept over him.

Talking to himself, he muttered, "Why do I get the feeling I've just been played?" He shook his head. "No-must be my imagination."