The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 771

The next day, Citrine and her team boarded a flight to the Federated States of Magnolia.

After making all the necessary arrangements, Citrine took the initiative to reach out to the island’s owner.

She had spent so much time on Mirage Cay that she knew plenty of inside information; getting in touch with someone from there was hardly a challenge for her.

Later, Citrine changed and went alone to a quiet restaurant.

Her contact was already waiting when she arrived.

From across the room, she immediately recognized his familiar silhouette. Calm and composed, she walked right over and took the seat across from him without hesitation.

The man wore a mask, revealing only a pair of eyes—eyes that now bore the fine lines of age at their corners.

Citrine narrowed her gaze, studying those eyes she knew so well.

“Well, Mr. Jeff, it looks like the years have finally caught up with you,” she said smoothly.

He stared at her for a long moment before replying, “That’s true. I’ve gotten old, while you—somehow you’re just as sharp as ever, always a step ahead.”

She offered a wry smile. “Yet for all my cleverness, I still ended up locked away on Mirage Cay for years, courtesy of you.”

With that, she glanced at the waiter and said softly, “Could I have some tea, please?”

It was strange—here they were, enemies by all accounts, yet they sat across from each other like old friends who hadn’t met in years, sharing a pot of tea.

Once her cup was empty, Citrine casually started ordering food, taking her time with the menu.

The man’s gaze never left her, his eyes searching her face, trying and failing to read her intentions.

When she finished, she handed him the menu. “See if there’s anything else you’d like,” she said, almost offhand.

He didn’t take it. Instead, he shook his head slightly at the waiter. “That won’t be necessary,” he said, his tone cool. “You can go now.”

“Oh? You don’t want to eat with me?” Citrine teased, feigning innocence.

“You know I never dine in public,” he replied, brows drawing together, a flicker of emotion finally breaking through. “Just tell me—why did you ask me here today?”

She eyed the mask covering his face and smiled, her voice laced with irony. “From my very first day on Mirage Cay, you’ve always hidden behind a mask. All these years, what exactly are you hiding from, Jeff?”

He gave a sudden, humorless laugh. “You haven’t changed a bit—still reckless as ever. Aren’t you afraid I’ll throw you back on Mirage Cay?”