The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 450

“Let’s open it up and see.”

Aline took the package from Dick and fetched a box cutter. With careful, deliberate strokes, she sliced through the cardboard, peeling it open bit by bit.

When she saw there was just an envelope sitting on top, a little relief washed over her. Her whole body seemed to relax.

She reached inside, about to pull the envelope out, but as soon as her fingers brushed against it, her expression changed in an instant.

“Aaah!” she shrieked, lurching back and flinging the box across the room.

“What happened?” Dick demanded, seeing the color drain from her face.

Aline was visibly shaken; her hands were trembling, her voice choked with fear. “I... I felt something soft. And warm. And... it moved. It’s alive, Dick.”

That’s when Dick noticed the blood smeared on her hand. “You’re bleeding,” he said.

“It’s not mine. It’s from whatever’s in there.” Aline couldn’t stop her hands from shaking. The memory of that chilling touch made her feel sick all over.

Dick eyed the box warily where it had landed a few feet away. He approached it with caution, picking it up and peering inside.

When he saw what was in there, his stomach dropped.

He swallowed hard. “It’s a rat. Someone stabbed it right through, but it isn’t quite dead yet.”

“God, that’s disgusting!” Aline’s face twisted in horror as realization struck. She’d touched a dying rat. Her stomach lurched, and she bolted for the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before she started retching.

By the time she came back out, she looked drained, as if every ounce of strength had left her.

Dropping onto the sofa, she muttered weakly, “It was Citrine. It had to be that bitch. She’s getting back at us.”