The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 423

Back home, Citrine uncorked a bottle of red wine. Settling onto the sofa with her cat curled up on her lap, she absentmindedly stroked its fur with one hand and sipped her wine with the other, her thoughts gradually growing hazy.

In her previous life, after their first bitter falling out, the hostility from Hastings and Quentin had only intensified with each passing day.

They made it their mission to humiliate her—pulling childish pranks, setting her up to embarrass herself, hurling insults at every opportunity. It became a relentless campaign of ridicule.

The moment that seared itself most deeply in her memory happened at Theo’s birthday party. That day, in front of everyone, Hastings jabbed a finger in her face and spat out:

“You’re nothing but Theo’s pathetic lapdog, always at his beck and call. Living off his charity like some worthless parasite, and you actually think you matter? I can’t stand women like you—no self-respect, all vanity and cheapness.”

For some reason, of all the things from her past life, Hastings’ words remained crystal clear in her mind.

So much so, that the first time she saw Hastings in this life, she found herself scheming.

If Hastings despised women without dignity, why not let him experience it himself? Let him become the lapdog, the one stripped of pride, the very thing he loathed most.

Citrine couldn’t help but think—it would be deliciously entertaining.

——

Ever since Theo learned about Citrine’s blood type, he’d been quietly plotting.

With someone like her as a backup blood donor, his sister’s safety would be nearly guaranteed.

After some thought, Theo decided to bring the matter to his father. He knew that if his father acted, the issue would be settled.

Theo’s father, Talbot Glenwood, was the head of Crestwood’s most powerful family—a man whose influence stretched over the entire city. More importantly, he controlled an enormous underground network, which had made him fabulously wealthy over the years.

This network had also allowed him to bring other elite families—the Coopers, the Aldridges, and several others—under his sway, sometimes even making them bow to his will.

As soon as he heard about the situation, Talbot moved quickly, reaching out to Citrine to negotiate.