The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

After leaving the ballroom, Citrine followed Vester out to the backyard.

Once they arrived, Citrine's curiosity finally got the better of her. "Mr. Vester, I've already agreed to the partnership between our families. What else is it you wanted to discuss with me?"

The backyard was empty, the hush making her wary. She eyed Vester with open suspicion.

Vester, amused by her guardedness, let a small smile slip. "Ms. Carmichael, you don't need to worry. I just wanted a word with you in private."

"What about?" Citrine's tone was dead serious.

He didn't bother with preamble. "Ms. Carmichael, Mr. Vesper isn't really your boyfriend, is he?"

Citrine didn't reply, just hesitated ever so slightly.

She and Sebastian Vesper were never actually a couple, just putting on a show. If Vester had seen through it, it wasn't all that surprising.

Citrine's silence dragged out, bordering on stubborn. Vester only smiled wider and went on, "Aren't you curious how I found out?"

She went along with it, meeting his gaze. "Sure, I'm curious."

His eyes softened. "I've never dated anyone myself, but I've seen enough couples to know what real chemistry looks like. You and Mr. Vesper-there's none of that tension between you; it's all too measured. The way he looks at you is... let's just say it's not entirely innocent. But the way you look at him? It's perfectly clear."

Vester had known from the first moment he saw them together that they were faking it.

"You're right. We're not a couple." Was that really the whole reason he'd dragged her out here? Citrine frowned, growing impatient.

She didn't get to finish voicing her annoyance before Vester continued.

"Ms. Carmichael, from what I've found, you started your business in the Federated States of Magnolia. In fact, your ventures there far outweigh what you have in Northriver. Have you ever considered settling in Magnolia for good?"

He watched her closely, fidgeting nervously with his hands.

Citrine's frown deepened. Her voice dropped. "Northriver is where I was born. My family and friends are there. What exactly is your point, Mr. Vester?"

She had little patience for people meddling in her decisions, and he was crossing a line.

Sensing her rushed

annoyance, Vester

explain, "No, that's not net

interfere in your life." Contoel

He pressed his lips together, clearly flustered. "I just—I wanted to take a chance for myself."

He took a shaky breath. "Ms. Carmichael, I like you. I want to marry you." His words trembled with nerves.

He never imagined, at twenty-seven, he could be so hopelessly tongue-tied over this woman.

Meanwhile, across the garden,

Ileana

had

just stormed off

Sebastian publicly net

cursing under her breath as

Once she was gone, Sebastian's face darkened, Ileana's words echoing in his mind.

He couldn't take it anymore. Abruptly, he got up and left.

He found Citrine and Vester just in time to hear Vester's confession.

Standing behind a tree, Sebastian clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles cracked, his expression thunderous.

In that moment, he wanted nothing more than

to rush out, pull ine

into arms, and stake his right in front of Vester.

But then Vester's next words hit his ears, and Sebastian's composure nearly fractured.

Citrine stood there, stunned, uncertain how to even react.

"Mr. Vester, you must be joking."noveldrama

Who confessed their feelings and proposed marriage the very first time they met? Was he out of his mind?

Vester shook his head. "I'm not joking. Since you and Mr. Vesper are only pretending, why not give me a chance?"

Sebastian nearly ground his teeth to dust.

He knows we're faking it? Did he figure it out on his own, or did Citrine tell him herself?