RedNovelChapter 227 Ever since Citrine auctioned off that Vitaflux at Elbert's birthday celebration, Elbert had barely touched food or water. He'd spent days bedridden, his condition growing worse by the hour.
With no other options, Truman Jensen and Leila Jensen decided to visit the Carmichaels in person.
But Raymond shut the door on them before they could even state their case, sending them away without a second thought. Elbert himself hadn't bothered to put on a pleasant face, either.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter hearing about how Elbert treated Citrine at the party, Raymond's goodwill toward the Jensen family-old friends though they were-had evaporated almost overnight.
It went without saying: the Carmichaels had no intention of associating with the Jensens any further.
Leila and Truman hadn't expected Raymond and Weston to be so unyielding. When they realized the family elders wouldn't budge, they set their sights on Citrine instead.
That evening, upon learning that Citrine was studying at the library, they hurried over and waited outside until seven o'clock, when her silhouette finally appeared beneath the streetlamps.
Truman called out first, his voice carrying through the cool air. "Ms. Carmichael." Hearing her name, Citrine had already guessed who it was. She nodded, regarding them with a polite but distant expression-anything but warm.
After all, she'd never liked their family patriarch; it was only natural she didn't think much of his grandchildren, either.
Truman offered a gentle smile. "Ms. Carmichael, would you mind sitting down to talk for a moment?" "This is about the Vitaflux, isn't it?" Citrine's lips curved into a knowing smile, cutting right to the chase.
Truman was momentarily thrown by her directness, but then he managed a small laugh. "You're as sharp as ever, Ms. Carmichael." "Thank you," Citrine replied, mirroring his smile.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBut in the next instant, her expression hardened. She rejected them outright, her tone clear and final. "Unfortunately, the Vitaflux was already auctioned off. I'm afraid I can't help you." She glanced at her smartwatch, then offered them a courteous smile. "It's getting late. I should head home. Please excuse me." "No." Leila's face paled in an instant.
Thinking of her grandfather languishing in bed, she felt tears sting her eyes. "Ms. Carmichael, wait." Her voice trembled as she pleaded, "We know the Vitaflux has been sold, but we're hoping you could tell us where you got it. We'll try to buy one ourselves. If you help us, we'll make sure you're handsomely rewarded." Citrine couldn't help but laugh, incredulous. "Ms. Jensen, asking for my source right out of the gate? That's not how things are done. Negotiation isn't your strong suit, is it? Clearly you've never done business before." Both Truman and Leila's faces flushed with embarrassment at her words.
Leila, long used to being coddled, felt utterly humiliated.
Truman, meanwhile, was mortified on his sister's behalf. He shot her a warning look. "That's enough. Be quiet."
Anyone raised as a proper heir knew that a clear refusal meant the door was closed. No amount of pleading would change the that. And yet his foolish sister was still dreaming of getting the source-asking for the moon, really.
Leila dug her nails into her palm, cheeks burning under Truman's stern gaze, but she pressed on for Elbert's gaze, but she pressed sake.
"Ms. Carmichael, I know my grandfather was out of line that day. I can't ask you to forgiv@him. But please, we've been family friends for generations-can't you help him, just this once?" Her eyes shone with desperate hope.
But Citrine remained unmoved, her tone cool and even. "No, I'm afraid not. I tend to hold grudges."
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