NovelEnglishChapter 213 That night, Raymond's phone rang unexpectedly.
On the other end, a woman and child were sobbing, their cries punctuated by a man's hoarse, desperate pleas. His voice was raw with terror, cutting straight through the static.
"Mr. Carmichael, I'm begging you. I know I was wrong. Please let my family go.
The man's despair bled through the line. Raymond frowned slightly, the tone tickling something familiar in his memory, but he couldn't quite place it.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"1 A moment later, another voice con, businesslike but edged with menace. "Mr. Carmichael, Easton got drunk tonight and started ranting about you outside our club. Our guys are at his place right now. Should we... send a message?" The implication was clear, the threat cold and precise.
Easton? As soon as he heard the name, Raymond remembered. Just a traitor. He gave a soft, dismissive laugh.
"Toss him out of Havencrest. Break his legs," Raymond ordered, his voice light and almost bored, as if he were discussing the weather.
But as soon as the words left his mouth, Easton's curses echoed in his mind- "Raymond, you're a monster! You'll get what's coming to you. Your own children will pay for your sins!" Raymond's brow tightened. For a moment, his heart seized. He abruptly changed his mind. "Forget it. He's just a dog who bit the hand that fed him. Not worth the trouble." He'd never cared about curses before. He'd always believed he'd never have a child. But now, with Citrine in his life-even if Easton's words were nothing more than drunken spite-he couldn't quite shake them off.
On the other end, the man hesitated, then ventured cautiously, "Mr. Carmichael... is that really you?" "Of course it is," Raymond snapped, his tone icy.
He ended the call. The man on the other end was left bewildered. Mr. Carmichael was famous for never letting a slight go unpunished. Why was he suddenly letting Easton off the hook? Then again, the minds of powerful men were always impossible to predict; as a low-level lackey, it was best not to wonder.
Saturday arrived: Elbert Jensen's sixtieth birthday. The Carmichael and Jensen families had been close for generations, so they were naturally invited.
The Jensen family had seen better days, but their deep roots and wide connections kept them firmly entrenched in Havencrest's upper crust.
Raymond had business that night, so his father, Weston Carmichael, brought Citrine and Regina Carmichael to Elbert's birthday gala.
Weston hadn't planned to take Regina, but after her repeated pleading, he finally relented. He'd thrown her out of the house, yes, but he'd watched her grow up- his heart wasn't made of stone.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmGratitude, however, was the last thing on Regina's mind.
She was seething. In the past, at events like these, Weston would only take her; now, he had the nerve to bring Citrine along, too. To maken matters worse, that wretched Citrine had shown up in a dress almost identical to hers-scolor, eerily similar cut. And while both wore white, Citrine looked elegant and willowy, the very picture of a wealthy heiress. On Regina, the dress made her look stocky and awkward, the fabric highlighting every flaw. Citrine had always had that sly, seductive look-tonight, just her face would be enough to steal the spotlight. The thought made Regina burn with envy.
She was certain Citrine had done it on purpose, just to upstage her.
Still, Regina forced herself to play the gracious hostess. She turned to Citrine with a syrupy smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Sister bheard you used to be the Iversons' foster daughter. They even sent you overseas, didn't they? Must have been tough, never having any pocket money. I suppose you hardly ever attended events like this-probably treated worse than the maids in their house." It was a tired routine, borrowed from Jeanette Iverson and already out of style.
Citrine listened with polite interest, then let out a sharp, amused laugh. She fired back without hesitation "You're right I haven't been to many. After all, I'm not like you, the adopted daughter of the Carmichaels, always shamelessly vying with your own cousin for attention and family resources."
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