NovelXXXChapter 373 For weeks, Kali had been bombarding Hastings with messages, but not a single reply ever came. The silence gnawed at her, leaving her stewing in frustration.
One afternoon, as she opened her social feed out of habit, she nearly dropped her phone in shock-Hastings had posted an update.
The caption was nothing but a sun emoji, but the image was what caught her breath: an oil painting in a gallery, and a woman's silhouette, her bare back half- turned to the camera.
Even though only half her back was visible, Kali could tell in an instant-the woman was beautiful.
Kali stared at the post, her face darkening with rage.
Others might not recognize the figure, but she knew immediately. That was Citrine.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSo, Hastings had ignored her for weeks, but somehow found tto escort that bitch to a gallery. He was smitten, truly smitten with Citrine. But he used to be into her-Kali. How had everything changed? A surge of panic rose in Kali's chest, sharp and cold.
She remembered that taunting message Citrine had sent her not long ago. Gritting her teeth, Kali scrolled through her phone until she found the screenshot and sent it straight to Hastings.
Kali: Hastings, look at what she said she thinks you're not good enough for her.
At that moment, Hastings was with Theo and the others, idly checking his phone when Kali's message popped up. He had no intention of answering his thumb was already reaching for the back button-when something about the screenshot caught his eye. That familiar username.
He stopped, enlarging the image.
Citrine: I could run rings around him eight hundred times and still not care. He's the one who's not good enough for me. Besides, he said I'm prettier than you.
At the last line, Hastings couldn't help himself-he snorted with laughter.
Such a brat. So childish.
He could just picture her, chin lifted, defiant and smug as she typed those words.
Suppressing his amusement, Hastings finally replied: She's right. I'm not good enough for her.
Kali had been waiting anxiously for his response; as soon as the notification chimed, she snatched up her phone- only to freeze, her face turning ashen.
Her voice rose into a shrill screech, "That little bitch." What had Citrine done to him? What spell had she cast to turn him into such an idiot? The more Kali thought about it, the angrier she became. She swept her arm across her vanity, sending her expensive makeup clattering and shattering across the hardwood floor.
Stellaris Group Headquarters.
A man sat with his legs crossed, brow furrowed as he skimmed through the documents his assistant had just delivered.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHis lips parted, voice low. "The Iverson family's adopted daughter was abused from childhood, sent overseas at eleven, brought back half a year ago by the Carmichael family, then aced her science exams and got into Crestwood University's medical school. Is there anything else?" The assistant swallowed, voice trembling as he answered, "According to our investigation, Ms. Carmichael wasn't actually sent abroad when she was eleven. She was sent to Mirage Cay, and didn't leave until she was fourteen." He hesitated, lowering his gaze. "We can't find any records of what happened on Mirage Cay, or how Ms. Carmichael managed to leave. Everything's been carefully wiped." "Mirage Cay," Sebastian repeated quietly, his eyes narrowing.
That place-everyone in their world knew its reputation. A lawless island where
almost no one returned alive. It was infamous for bloodshed, violencen unspeakable deals, and every breed of depravity. A place that chewed people up and spat out bones. Anyone who survived Mirage Cay... no wonder she was fearless.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, a sharp, blinding pain torem through Sebastian's head; so fierce it felt like something was battering the inside of his skull. He pressed his fists to his temples, trying to drive out whatever was clawing at his mind.
"Boss! Are you alright?" His assistant panicked, but didn't dare approach.
He fumbled for his phone and quickly dialed the Sebastian family's house manager.
Within minutes, the butler arrived and whisked Sebastian away to a private hospital owned by Stellaris Group.
After the IV drip, the pain finally subsided. But when Sebastian m opened his eyes, he was no longer the sman as before.
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
