The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

The eldest son of the Saunders family is truly something else-back in the day, he was every bit as brilliant as Hilda, the current head of the family.

"I heard he started his own company overseas. It's called The G Group, and word is, they're doing incredibly well-assets in the billions."

"So why would he suddenly come back now?"

"Maybe it's about C. Corp?"

"Didn't Hilda announce recently that Citrine would be her sole heir, and that she'd pass the entire Saunders estate to her? Do you think Gorman came back because of that?"

"It makes sense. The Saunders fortune is no small thing, and Gorman's the only one in the family with a real head for business. He's got just as much right to fight for the inheritance as anyone."

...

As the group gossiped, Hilda happened to walk by. She caught every word.

She glanced at her daughter first, and seeing that there was no trace of emotion on Citrine's face, Hilda turned her gaze to the group that had been talking.

With a cool expression, she called them over and said firmly, "I believe I made myself clear last time-the Saunders heir is Citrine. There will be no discussion."

By now, Hilda understood her daughter well.

Citrine wasn't just capable—she was ambitious. She dreamed of building an empire of her own.

Hilda realized that for her daughter, nothing mattered more than holding power in her own hands.

She could see it: Citrine wanted C. Corp.

If Citrine didn't care about inheriting, it wouldn't matter to Hilda who took over the company. But if her daughter wanted it, Hilda would fight tooth and nail to make sure she got it.

It seemed she'd have to find time to sound Gorman out.

After Hilda's blunt declaration, no one dared gossip any further. The whisperers melted away.

Once they were gone, Citrine turned to her mother. "Mom, if you give C. Corp to me, do you think my brothers and sisters will mind?"

She hesitated, then added, "And what about Monica? She works at the company now. Is she okay with it?"

Hilda smiled. "Neither Monica nor Wade have any objections. I told them about my decision from the very beginning."

"As for your brother..."

At the mention of Gorman, Hilda's confidence wavered.

"Your brother has always kept his distance from the family-cold, reserved. I honestly don't know what he's thinking."

Before Citrine could say anything more, Hilda continued, "Citrine, I know you're ambitious. Don't worry As long as I'm here, not just C. Corp if you wanted an entire. conglomerate, I'd do everything I could to win it for you."

Citrine wanted C. Corp, but if someone else in the family wanted it too, she had

no desire to fight or cause strife at home.

She didn't need Hilda to go to battle for her, but hearing her mother's words, she couldn't help feeling touched.

With a soft smile, she hugged Hilda. "You're the best, Mom."

The spontaneous embrace caught Hilda off guard. For a moment, she stood frozen, but then she quickly hugged her daughter back.

Tears pricked her eyes as she patted Citrine's back. "Silly girl, I'm ynoveldrama

Of course I want to

world to my precious da

the

The two of them shared a quiet moment before heading back to the main hall.

Just then, Gorman arrived. He walked straight over to Herschel.

"Happy birthday, Grandpa," he said, handing his gift to the attendant collecting presents.

Herschel nodded at his grandson. "It's good to have you home."

He was about to say more, when his gaze landed on the person behind Gorman.

Jeanette had d heard from Gorman that Herschel was his grandfather. She'd assumed Gorman and the

Saunders family were old family net

friends After all, they didn't even share the same last name—she never imagined there was more to the story.