Jonah was a master at making a dramatic exit. He shot a cold re at the cks and gave a dismissive snort. "I''m out of here. Pretend I was never even here."


    But halfway to the door, he spun around, marched back, and snatched the gift out of the attendant''s hands. "Actually, I''m taking this back. You''re not getting anything from me."


    Without missing a beat, Jonah sauntered up to Citrine, tossed the gift her way, and grinned. "Hey, here. This is for you now."


    Citrine barely managed to catch it, surprised by the sudden turn of events.


    The cks could only stare, speechless. This was the first time they''d ever seen someone so shamelessly take back a gift and hand it off to someone else. Truly eye-opening.


    After Citrine and her group left, the remaining guests quickly filtered out, leaving only the cks alone in the vast, echoing hall.


    Bartley''s face contorted with fury as he turned on Mrs. ck and delivered a resounding p.


    The sound of ps and cries soon filled the empty room, echoing off the marble.


    Meanwhile, Jonah was hot on Citrine''s heels, sticking to her side like a burr.


    "You guys heading out to celebrate Curry''s birthday?" he asked, looking at Curry with open disdain.


    "Yeah," Citrine replied coolly.


    Curry coughed awkwardly, trying to y it casual. "Well... I just happen to be freeter."


    He''d made his intentions more than clear; after all, he''d just stood up for Citrine against the cks. Surely she wouldn''t just ignore that. He waited, certain Citrine would invite him along. But several seconds ticked by, and Citrine remained silent.


    Wade and Curry exchanged nces, both reading Jonah''s mind. Citrine, of course, was no exception.


    onah, oblivio


    thought he hadn''t been obvious enough. "I mean, I''ve got


    nothing else going on-it''d be pretty boring not to tag along."


    Citrine nced at him, her expression hovering somewhere between a smile and a smirk.


    Suddenly feeling uneasy, Jonah swallowed hard. "Why aren''t you saying anything?"


    Citrine finally spoke, her tone mild but icy. "Mr. Griffin, whether you''re bored or not really has nothing to do with me."


    Jonah stared at her, stunned. He''d given her so much face tonight-humiliated the cks for her, even handed over the gift meant for Curry. The least she could do was invite him to the party herself. But she didn''t give him an inch, not even a shred of gratitude.


    Jonah fumed, but what could he do? She had saved him once on Skysunder Ridge, and that debt wasn''t so easily ignored.


    Fine then. If she wouldn''t invite him, he''d just have to swallow his pride and invite himself.


    He gave a haughty sniff. "Since you clearly want me at Curry''s birthday and already epted my gift, I suppose I can lower myself to attend."


    He shot Curry a venomous look. "If it weren''t for her, I wouldn''t be caught dead at your party," he added with a tone of utter condescension.


    Then he turned his re on Wade. "And don''t think I''m doing you any favors, Wade. After tonight, we''re settling things once and for all at Skysunder Ridge."


    Citrine could only stare. When had she ever invited him?


    Curry was dumbfounded. Since when had his birthday party turned into Jonah''s stage?


    Wade just rolled his eyes. "Bring it on, man. Who''s afraid of you?"


    Citrine didn''t bother arguing. If Jonah wanted to tag along, so be it.


    Soon after, Curry reserved a private room at a restaurant, and a few of his close friends showed up.


    Jonah and Wade were notorious rivals. True to form, Jonahtched onto Citrine like an overzealous puppy, barely giving her space to breathe. He chattered nonstop, his mouth running a mile a minute.


    Citrine, for her part, was quickly going numb.


    "Seriously, how did you end up as Wade''s sister?" Jonah grumbled, indignant.


    "You''re a legend behind the wheel. You deserve better than him."


    He paused, then brightened. "Hey,


    Iné


    why don''t you be my little sister instead? I''m an only child, so


    get all the perks. I''ll look out for you from now on."


    Citrine just gave him a nk stare.


    Wade, who''d been sharing a drink,


    with the others, nearly spat out his


    beer. He shot upright. “Jonah, are


    you Seriously trying to steal


    my


    sister right in front of me?"


    Jonah, utterly shameless, shrugged. "So what if I am?”


    He red at Wade. "You don''t deserve to have the queen of the track as your


    sister. If I want to steal her, I will."


    Wade''s temper red. "Say that again and I''ll knock your teeth out."


    "Go ahead, tough guy!" Jonah taunted, tapping his own cheek in invitation.


    But before Wade could move, Citrine reached out and pped Jonah across the face-quick, sharp, and with absoluteposure.


    "My brother is Wade," she said tly. "Try that again, and you''ll regret it."


    Jonah clutched his face in disbelief. It barely stung, but his pride was wounded.


    "Citrine! I just offered to make you my sister, and you hit me? Do you even have a heart?"


    Citrine just sighed. "Fine, I don''t. Whatever you say."


    She had no intention of wasting her breath on a child like him.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!