The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress (Citrine) novel Chapter 820

It wasn’t until a few days later that Leif and Jeanette’s paths officially crossed.

The first real argument between Jeanette and Chuck erupted not long after they arrived in Magnolia. It all started because Jeanette had her eye on an expensive designer item, but Chuck flat-out refused to buy it for her, saying it was too much. The argument lasted the entire car ride home, with Chuck—rarely so stern—finally losing his temper.

“I broke things off with my family and came to this dump of a college for you, Jeanette. Tell me, is there anything you’ve wanted that I haven’t bought for you?”

He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his tone sharp. “Don’t you think you’re pushing it? It’d be one thing if I still had money, but my parents froze my cards. Can’t you just be a little more understanding?”

Chuck’s outburst echoed in the cramped car. Jeanette looked at his unremarkable face, already feeling a growing sense of disgust. He made a fuss over a bit of money—just as she suspected, he was nothing more than a flashy upstart, lacking the easy grace of real old money. Maybe she’d have to get used to hard times if she stuck with him, and that thought made her stomach twist.

Jeanette’s annoyance deepened as she stewed in silence. After a while, a glint flickered in her eyes as a new idea came to her. She cast a final glance at Chuck—still fuming about her spending—and made up her mind.

Leif, after all, was royalty—even if only from some distant African country. He could certainly offer more than Chuck ever would. Thinking of Chuck’s forgettable features, and then remembering Leif’s dark, striking face, Jeanette felt a surge of confidence. Back home, she might have been ordinary, but here in Magnolia—surrounded by tall, fair-haired women—her petite, delicate looks stood out.

With a man like Leif, Jeanette was sure she could have him eating out of her hand. Still, he was a bit too dark for her tastes; maybe he could be her backup plan, but she’d never actually marry a Black man. The very thought made her scoff. No, that was out of the question.

With her mind made up, Jeanette started plotting her next move.

The following day, she was planning to use Chuck as an excuse to get closer to Leif. But to her surprise, Leif somehow got her number and texted her first, inviting her out.

Seeing his message, Jeanette couldn’t help but smile to herself.

When he confronted her, Jeanette didn’t even bother to deny it. “If you weren’t so cheap with me, do you think I’d be with Leif?”

Chuck’s face turned crimson with rage. He lunged at Jeanette and slapped her across the face. The two of them ended up in a full-blown fight, shouting and shoving, until finally one of Chuck’s friends stepped in and dragged them apart.

After that, Jeanette didn’t see the point in hiding anymore. She went public with her relationship with Leif.

She’d thought that Leif would be endlessly grateful for her “charity” in agreeing to be with him. And for a while, he was—showering her with gifts, even more lavish than before.

Then, a month later, Leif told her he wanted to bring her back to Africa to meet his family. At first, Jeanette refused. But when Leif promised that, once they returned, he’d gift her a whole estate, Jeanette’s eyes lit up. Greed won out, and she agreed to go with him.