NovelFinishChapter 44 He didn't dare imagine what kind of life Citrine had endured all these years with the Iverson family, or what she'd been through.
Raymond was in a foul mood, and his temper showed it.
Adler hesitated. "But sir, you have a very important meeting coming up." "I don't care how important it is. Reschedule everything. I'm going to pick up my daughter-now." Raymond's face was icy cold as he strode out, and not a soul in the office dared approach him.
Beatrice, who already knew about the mess online, didn't try to stop him when he cto collect Citrine.
When Citrine was called out of her classroom, she was still in a daze.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, looking up at Raymond. There was no trace of sadness or distress on her face.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtRaymond felt a little of his worry ease.
He'd thought she'd be hiding somewhere, crying her eyes out. Clearly, he'd underestimated her.
"I'm here to take you home," he said, ruffling her hair as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Citrine stiffened and pulled away, visibly uncomfortable.
Raymond's hand froze in midair. He simply assumed she didn't like people touching her hair, and didn't notice the flicker of panic in her eyes.
During her twith the Iversons, Citrine had often seen them ruffle Jeanette's hair-a gesture adults reserved for children they adored.
But this was the first tanyone had done it for her. For a moment, Citrine felt the warmth of Raymond's affection.
But what did he expect in return? She lowered her head, lost in thought.
"What are you thinking about?" Raymond had to call her nseveral times before she snapped back to reality.
She met his gaze, her expression earnest. "I'm just wondering-what is it aboutthat's worth all this effort?" What value did she have, to make Raymond treat her so well? No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't figure it out.
No one loves without a reason.
Children who've never known love tend to doubt it when it finally comes, suspecting it must cwith strings attached.
Citrine was no different.
"What do you mean?" For the first tin his life, Raymond felt utterly out of his depth. He just couldn't see what was going on in this child's head.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBut Citrine's next words hit him like a punch to the gut.
"If you're hoping to get something from me, Raymond, you're wasting your time."
She looked straight at him, her face as guileless as ever, but her voice was cold as ice The words fell like sharp blades, cutting deep into Raymond's heart. "No," he said quietly, staring at his daughter, overwhelmed by a wave of sorrow.
He'd thought that, after everything, the bond between them had grown, even just a little.
But hearing her flat, emotionless words, he finally understood: shen believed his kindness cwith ulterior motives. The content is on ultérior novelenglish.net! She had never once opened her heart to him.
Suddenly, Raymond remembered something he'd always overlooked.
Citrine had never called him "Dad." The realization hit him hard. His face darkened, and a crushing sense of defeat washed over him.
But what hurt most was the way she'd described herself as a stray, lost and alone, nd alone, when she spoke those words without the slightest expression, it felt as if something inside him had suddenly shattered.
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