The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress (Citrine) novel Chapter 754

Maybe it was because of the time Citrine went missing before, but now Hilda found herself more sensitive than ever.

From the very first day Citrine left for her trip, anxiety gnawed at her. If it hadn’t been for Herschel and Inez reassuring her every day, she might have run off to find Citrine herself.

So when she saw her daughter standing there safe and sound, Hilda couldn’t have been happier.

“Sweetheart, I made all your favorite dishes—been waiting for you to come home,” she said, beaming.

“Thank you, Mom.” Citrine smiled, reaching for Hilda’s hand.

She was about to say something when she noticed the red veins in her mother’s eyes. “Mom, are you okay? Your eyes look so red.”

Hilda hesitated for a moment.

Before she could say anything, Wade jumped in. “Citrine, you have no idea. After you left, Aunt Hilda was—”

Hilda shot him a warning glare. “Wade.”

He pressed his lips together and went quiet.

Turning back to Citrine, Hilda softened her voice until it was impossibly gentle. “I’m fine, honey. I just worked late last night and didn’t get enough sleep.”

“Then you need to rest more, Mom.” Citrine was smart enough not to push further.

After lunch, Citrine slipped away to Wade’s room.

He was gaming, but the moment he saw his sister, he dropped the controller and looked at her with surprise and delight. “Citrine! What brings you here? Want to hang out with your brother?”

She sat beside him. “Actually, I wanted to ask what you were about to say at lunch.”

He grinned. “So that’s what you’re after?”

Without hesitation, he spilled the truth. “Aunt Hilda didn’t work late last night. From the first day you left, she’s been a wreck, worried sick you might get lost again. If it weren’t for Grandpa and Grandma talking her down, she would’ve driven out to find you by now.”

“She misses you like crazy, barely sleeps at night—just keeps worrying something will happen to you.”

“Oh,” Citrine murmured, eyes clouded with guilt and tenderness.

Wade, noticing her distress, quickly added, “Don’t worry, Citrine. She’ll be fine. It’s just a mother’s worry. She’ll get over it with time.”

Citrine nodded.

That night, Hilda was in the middle of a video conference when she heard a soft knock at her door.

Puzzled, she opened it to find Citrine standing there, gazing up at her.

“And she’s a bestselling author, too.”

“Unlike those money-obsessed business types, President Saunders’ daughter is a real scientist.”

“I’m jealous. The ten of us combined couldn’t produce a daughter like hers.”

“Smart, successful, and still so sweet and affectionate—who wouldn’t want a daughter like that?”

Hilda walked over just in time to catch the end of their conversation.

She was in such a good mood that she joined in. “What is it you all want?”

One of the team laughed. “President Saunders, we were just saying how envious we are. Your daughter is so accomplished at such a young age! We all wish we could have a daughter like her.”

“Yeah, President Saunders, we’re so jealous. Your girl is so close to you. My own daughter refuses to sleep with me unless I Venmo her fifty bucks as a bribe!”

“President Saunders, does your lovely daughter need a godmother? I’m available!”

Hearing her colleagues praise Citrine, Hilda was positively glowing—until someone made that last remark. She frowned slightly and let out a cool laugh. “Available for what, exactly?”

“If you mean that overseas project in Myanmar, I can assure you—you’re more than qualified for that.”