The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 801 After searching for a while, Hilda finally found a small box tucked beneath her daughter's desk.

She opened it with trembling hands, carefully peeling back the lid. Sure enough, inside she found a stack of letters.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Hilda sifted through them until she found the envelope with her non it.

She tore it open, heart pounding.

Mom, I love you.

When I realized that you lovedjust as I'd always hoped, I was so happy. I know you've felt guilty ever since I went missing, but try to see it from my perspective-if I made a terrible mistake and broke your heart, what would you do? I think, knowing you, you'd tellthere isn't a mother on earth who would truly blher child or stay angry for long. And I want you to know, there isn't a daughter in this world who could ever truly stay angry with her mom, either.

I know you're upset that I insisted on going to Mirage Cay to find Dad. I'm sorry-I didn't mean to hurt you. But this is something I have to do. I spent a lot of tat Mirage Cay and know it better than anyone. And as the head of the Vermillion Vanguard, I've spent years investigating what's been happening there. Now, when it's finally tto act, I have to go.

Mom, I hope you'll understand.

I don't know how long I'll be gone. I thought about what I could leave you, but honestly, you have everything you need.

If I don't make it back, just think ofas a wayward daughter and letgo. Live your life, start over.

The world is a big place. You'll meet people who love you. Maybe you'll even have another sweet daughter one day. You'll be happy, I promise.

"What a silly girl... How could I ever be happy without you? And anyway, you're the only daughter I'll ever need," Hilda muttered through a choked sob, her eyes stinging as tears streamed down her cheeks.

She quickly wiped her face, took a few deep breaths to steady herself, then gathered up the rest of the letters and headed downstairs.

Even though she'd brushed away the tears, her eyes were still red and puffy- something the Saunders family noticed, but no one asked about.

Hilda set the other letters on the table and sank into the sofa, staring blankly into space.

The rest of the Saunders family wasted no tfinding their own letters among the pile.

Citrine had written a letter to each of them. She'd also left a set of herbal remedies for Herschel and Inez Saunders.

Neither of the elders had expected her to be so thoughtful. They remembered mentioning their minor health complaints in passing; no one in the family had paid much attention, but Citrine had listened and even gone to the trouble of preparing treatments for them.

These weren't prescriptions you could write in a day or two. It meant she'd been thinking about this for quite stime.

The old couple finished reading their letters, quietly dabbing at their eyes.

Monica and Wade Saunders had received letters too.

Wade, thank you for always makinglaugh and cheeringup these past few months. You're a wonderful brother, and I've loved every moment we've spent together.

While I'm gone, I hope you'll finally put your racing team together and build something you can be proud of. By the way, I put a management plan for the team in this box. I hope it helps.

Wade immediately rummaged through the box and found a folder. He flipped it open and, after skimming just a few pages, realized how comprehensive the plan was.

It covered every question he'd ever had-things he'd never even thought to ask. Wade's eyes grew red and watery.

For as long as he could remember, both at hand out in the world, everyone had written him off as a good- for-nothing. Only Citrine had ever believed in him-really believed-and taken the tto help him build something of his own.

How could his little sister be so good to him? er Monica, quieter and more reserved, loved her sister just as much, though she could never match Wade's boisterous affection or. spend as much twith Citrine. she Secretly, Monica worried wouldn't get a letter of her own.

When she found one, she was overjoyed.

But as she read it, her eyes turned red.

Big sister, I've wished for a sister more times than I can count. I never thought my wish would actually ctrue.

Since coming hto the Saunders family, you've always looked out for me, madefeel the warmth I'd missed for so long. I love you.

I believe you lovetoo-after all, you choseover the company.

You always liked running the business, but you acted like you m didn't care because you thought i wasn't interested. But, Monica, what's wrong with having dreams and ambitions? Go after what you want. There's something else in the box for you.

Monica searched the box and finally found another folder. She opened it to see, in bold letters: C. Corp Share Transfer Agreement.

She flipped to the last page. Citrine's signature was already there.

Monica's face went pale, and she looked up at Hilda in shock. "Aunt Hilda, what is this?"

Hilda, still dazed, met Monica's gaze and answered softly, "Not long ago, Citrine askedto change the company's shares. She said you see C. Corp as your life's work and askedto hand it over to you." Monica stared at Hilda, lost for words.

Sensing her confusion, Hilda added, "Citrine gave you the company. Just accept it." Monica tucked the documents to her chest, eyes wet with tears—but mostly she felt guilty.

She'd never dared show any interest

in inheriting the company, and no one else in the family had noticed. Only her little sister, who hadn't even been hthat long, had seen through her-and was willing to give up everything for her. Monica had grown up among the wealthy, where siblings fought bitterly over inheritance. She'd never seen anyone walk away from something so big without hesitation.

Gorman and Nigel Saunders had their own letters and gifts, too.

Nigel received the deed to an art gallery downtown-a gift from Citrine. Gorman was given a signed partnership agreement with CICI Group.