The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Time seemed to freeze, and all Citrine could hear was the wild pounding of her own heart.

She had never felt anything like this before.

For a split second, she lost herself. Snapping back to reality, Citrine's expression changed drastically. She swung the steering wheel, veering toward the oil fields.

There was no road ahead-just a sheer cliff, beyond which stretched a vast, endless sea.

Citrine let out a long breath. "Sebastian, looks like you're stuck with me now, whether you like it or not."

Sebastian gave a wry smile. "I wouldn't have it any other way." And he meant every word.

No sooner had he finished speaking than his expression turned steely and serious. "We need to bail. Now."

Citrine understood instantly. She glanced at him. “On my count. Three, two, one— we jump together."

"Three... two..."

At the final count, both swung open their doors and leapt out.

After years with the Vermillion Vanguard, a jump from this height was nothing for Citrine.

She hit the ground, rolled, and was on her feet in seconds, scanning for Sebastian.

He'd landed safely too, already standing up and dusting himself off. Citrine hurried over. "Are you alright?"

Sebastian flashed a quick grin. "I work out. I can handle it." But as he spoke, his eyes kept darting over her, only relaxing once he was sure she was unhurt.

Behind them, the roar of engines grew louder, peppered with angry shouts.

Citrine's face tightened. "We need to hide. Now."

They moved, swift and silent, vanishing into the cover of the oil field.

It didn't take long for their pursuers to barrel into the same field. The tracks their

car had left were plain as day, leading the others right after them.

Once the pursuing vehicle thundered past, Citrine and Sebastian poked their heads above the tall grass.

"When they realize the car's empty, they'll double back for sure," Citrine said. "We have to get out of here before that happens."

No time for hesitation. They sprinted deeper into the maze of pumps and pipes.

As they ran, Citrine shot a quick message with their location to Vester and Sherman.

They barely paused to catch their breath, the urgency driving them forward.

"They'll find us eventually," Citrine murmured, her voice low and tense. "There's still time to leave-if you want to."

She didn't look at Sebastian, but it was clear the words were meant for him.

His jaw clenched. "Save your breath. You'll need it to keep running." His voice was cool and just a little sharp.

She let it drop, focusing on their escape.

Meanwhile, their pursuers had reached Citrine's abandoned car and discovered it empty. The Magnolia leader slammed his fist on the steering wheel, cursing under his breath.noveldrama

"Damn it!"

"They can't have gone far without a car. Get out and search-every inch!"

With their numbers and mobility, it didn't take them long to spot signs of Citrine and Sebastian's trail.

The hunt was on.

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Citrine and Sebastian, hearing the commotion, crouched low on opposite sides of a path, each gripping a sturdy branch, hearts stead eyes fixed ahead. The plan was the same as before-ambush, disarm, survive.

They waited, barely breathing, as six or seven men rushed in their direction,

shouting to each other: "They're just ahead! Move!"

Citrine silently counted in her mind.

Three... two... one.

In a flash, the pursuers toppled, caught completely off guard.

Citrine and Sebastian moved fast, snatching up the dropped guns with practiced efficiency.

Then they fired-quick, precise, without hesitation.

The ambushers never stood a chance.

Sebastian wasted no time, collecting all usable guns and ammo from the fallen

men.

But more engines rumbled closer. Citrine's eyes narrowed. "Reinforcements are almost here. We need to move-find another hiding spot."

No argument—the two of them took off again.

Their enemies had the advantage: more men, more vehicles. Running felt like delaying the inevitable, but fighting back might just offer a sliver of hope.

When the next wave arrived, they found only the bodies of their comrades, sprawled across the blood-soaked grass. Not a single one left alive.

The Magnolia boss's face turned ashen with rage.

"Those damn Northriver rats-I'll see them dead if it's the last thing I do."

He ordered his men to spread out and keep searching.

Citrine and Sebastian held their positions, lying low until the search party drew near. As their enemies turned their backs, Citrine and Sebastian exchanged a look then opened fire together.

They didn't miss. The Magnolia men fell in quick succession.

But now, their cover was blown.

Shouts of fury erupted as their

opponents realized what had

happened. Gunfire followed, echoing

through the oil field as Citrine and

Sebastian darted between the

machinery, dodging bullets and

searching for any chance to escape.

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