At 12:52 a.m. on New Year's Day, she and Sebastian Vesper officially beca couple.
Not just friends-real couple.
No one could tell what the future would hold, but in that moment, Citrine wanted nothing more than to follow her
heart.
And now, she was no longer alone.
This New Year's marked something truly special for Citrine; it was the happiest moment of her life. The swas
true for Sebastian. After all, he was finally with the one he loved, no longer facing the world by himself. From now
on, she would be his family.
Meanwhile, the entire Saunders clan had crowded around an upstairs window, peeking down with a mix of
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtcuriosity and mischief. Even after Citrine and Sebastian disappeared from sight, their gazes lingered, unwilling to
let go.
"Is that guy really Citrine's boyfriend?" Weston Carmichael, Raymond's father, gawked with a look of pure
dismay, as if his precious daughter had just been snatched away by sunworthy suitor.
Herschel Saunders stroked his imaginary beard, for once siding with Weston. "That girl kept this secret well. If we
hadn't accidentally stumbled upon them tonight, none of us would have known a thing."
The two old men, having only recently reunited with their granddaughter, selfishly hoped to keep her close a few
more years. But judging by what they'd just witnessed, it didn't look like they'd have her to themselves much
longer. The thought of their precious girl being swept away by syoung upstart left both of them sour-faced
and sighing.
"So my little sister's just going to get whisked away like that?"
"And what makes that guy think he can take her from us?"
Travis Carmichael and Wade Saunders both wore matching scowls, openly resenting the man who'd stolen their
sister's heart.
For once, the two weren't bickering; instead, they were united by a common enemy.
Arms folded, Travis spoke darkly, "No one in this world is good enough for my sister. | need to think of a way to
teach that guy a lesson."
"I'm in," Wade replied, uncharacteristically agreeable.
The eldest Saunders brothers had just gotten back hand barely had a chance to show off in front of their
niece, only to watch helplessly as she was swept away right under their noses.
They glared, silently vowing to make things difficult for Sebastian.
So, when Travis and Wade suggested giving the new boyfriend a little trouble, the Saunders elders nodded in
approval.
After all, a Saunders woman wasn't just for anyone.
Both families wore long faces, with only Raymond and Manley Carmichael, along with Hilda Saunders, holding
back in rare, thoughtful silence.
After a long pause, Raymond exchanged glances with Manley and Hilda; the
three shared a silent understanding and nodded.
Raymond finally spoke up, his voice firm: "No one is to interfere. This is Citrine's choice."
As much as Raymond disliked the man who had stolen his daughter away, he couldn't ignore all the hardships
she'd endured. If this was someone she liked, he couldn't bear to make things harder for her. s
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