The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Kali stormed out in tears, her anger barely contained.

Now only Theo and Quentin remained in the room.

Quentin's gaze lingered on Theo, dark and conflicted. "Theo, you used to dote on Kali. How could you say something like that to her just now?"

He frowned, then hesitated before continuing, "Theo, do you... like Citrine Carmichael? When did that start?" He remembered how much Theo used to despise Citrine.

At the mention of Citrine, a flicker of warmth finally appeared in Theo's eyes. He spoke softly, "I love her. I have for a very, very long time."

He'd been hopelessly in love with her-even in another life.

For reasons Quentin couldn't quite put his finger on, irritation flared in his chest. He didn't understand why, but hearing Theo say those words made his blood boil.

"It was bad enough when Hastings lost his head over that toxic woman," Quentin snapped. "But now you too? Have you fallen under her spell as well?"

Theo's expression hardened; he hated when people spoke ill of Citrine. "She's not toxic," he shot back. "She's the kindest girl in the world."

Quentin clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed. "What's so great about her, anyway? Is she really that irresistible?"

Theo nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

He glanced at Quentin, then added, "If she wasn't, you wouldn't talk about her all the time."

Theo's eyes narrowed. "Quentin, you've never wasted a word on people you genuinely dislike. Yet lately, you can't stop mentioning Citrine. Tell me honestly— are you really just holding a grudge over that punishment your family handed down because of her?"

Caught off guard, Quentin pressed his lips into a thin line and fell silent.

It was true. Every time he saw Citrine, she drove him up the wall. And yet, as much as he claimed to hate her, he always found himself looking forward to their next encounter-even if it was just to argue with her. Hell, half of what he did seemed designed to get her attention.

Now that Theo had called him out, Quentin didn't know what to say.

Thinking back on his argument with Kali earlier, Quentin's gaze darkened. Could it really be that he liked that woman?

Before he could dwell on it, Theo spoke again. "Quentin, there's plenty I'd give up for you. But not Citrine. She's everything to me.”

Quentin wanted to insist he didn't care about Citrine, but the words stuck in his throat.noveldrama

Seeing his silence, Theo continued, "Quentin, haven't you always wanted to know who it was that beat you up and left you half-naked back at Havencrest?"

At the mention of that humiliating night, Quentin's eyes widened and his jaw clenched. "You found out who that bastard was?"

Theo nodded.

That kind of grudge was impossible to forget. Quentin had fantasized about

making whoever did it pay—painfully.

He demanded, "Who was it? Tell me who the hell was it?"

Theo answered calmly, "Citrine."

"What?" Quentin almost thought he'd misheard.

He stared at Theo in disbelief, shaking his head. "No way.

Absolutely not. The guy who jumped me was strong as hell-I thought he'd break every bone in my body.

There's no way that was a woman.”

Theo had expected his disbelief. Without another word, he tossed his phone to Quentin.

"Check the photo gallery. See for yourself."