NovelXXXChapter 429 That day, Hilda made her stance clear in Crestwood's high society: if anyone so much as laid a finger on Citrine, they'd be considered an enemy of the Saunders family from that moment on.
When the news reached Kali, she was still recovering in the hospital.
She stared at her brother in disbelief. "How is this possible? Since when did Citrine get involved with the Saunders family?" Theo shook his head. "No idea. Dad said Hilda showed up at our house today and made sserious threats. If he ever tries to go after Citrine again, there's no telling what that lunatic would do." His voice dropped. "For now, we'll have to find you a different blood donor." Kali pressed her lips together, disappointment clouding her eyes.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSo close. If the Saunders family hadn't intervened, Citrine would've becher personal blood bank by now. Seething, Kali cursed Hilda under her breath.
After a while, something else occurred to her. She looked up at Theo. "By the way -why hasn't Hastings visitedthese past few days?" It had been almost a week since Hastings last cto the hospital.
Kali had hoped that this would be the perfect opportunity to mend things between them, to get back to how they used to be. She hadn't expected he'd start avoiding her altogether.
As soon as she asked, Theo's smile faded, replaced by a more complicated expression.
Noticing her brother's strange look, Kali frowned. "What is it, Theo? Why do you look so upset?" Theo was silent for a moment, then fixed her with a serious gaze. "Kali, you can't keep playing games with your own life." All the color drained from Kali's face; a chill ran through her veins.
She clenched her fists, trying to act clueless. "Theo... What are you talking about?" He stared at her, his eyes suddenly sharp. "Don't pretend. I saw the security footage. You fell down the stairs on purpose." Kali froze, staring back at Theo, scrambling for an explanation.
Before she could open her mouth, he cut her off coldly. "If you want to cbetween Hastings and Citrine, that's your business. But hurting yourself to do it is just pathetic Only a coward tries to manipulate people by self- harm." Relief flickered across Kali's face when she realized that was all he'd deduced. She quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, Theo. I know I was wrong." Theo's tone softened a little. He reached out to ruffle her hair. "As long as you know. Don't ever do something that stupid again." "I won't, I promise." Kali nodded, managing a faint smile.
But as soon as she mentioned Hastings, her expression clouded once more.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmShe hesitated, then asked quietly, "Theo... did Hastings see the security footage too?" Theo nodded. "He did." Kali's heart sank like a stone.
She'd put herself through so much and failed to break up Hastings and Citrine. Worse, she might have just pushed them closer together. The thought made her sick.
No wonder he hasn't visited... He must despisenow.
Theo silently cursed Hastings for being so cold-how could he just leave ve Kali alone all this time? Trying to reassure her, he said,
"Don't worry. No matter what, you're still the little sister he grew up with. He's always looked out for you. Houtfor There's no way he could really hate you."
Kali felt a bit of the tension in her chest ease. Theo alhistake was right she had made a mistake, but she and Hastings had grown up togetheHe'd always taken care of neveher surely he wouldn't stay angry forever.
A month later, Crestwood's annual Opulence Ball-a gathering for all the most reputable, high-ranking companies-was about to begin.
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