At 12:52 a.m. on New Year''s Day, she and Sebastian Vesper officially became a 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 same was 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 n had crowded around an upstairs window, peeking down with a mix of curiosity 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 some unworthy suitor.

Herschel Saunders stroked his imaginary beard, for once siding with Weston. "That girl kept this secret well. If we hadn''t identally 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 some young 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 amon enemy.

Arms folded, Travis spoke darkly, "No one in this world is good enough for my sister. I 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 home and 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 red, 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 nces 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."fn9aa5 Newest update provided by FιndNovel/fn9aa5

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

All that mattered was her happiness.

But if this man ever dared hurt Citrine, Raymond was confident he had a hundred ways to make him regret it.

Travis stared in disbelief. "Why? Uncle, aren''t you the one who dotes on Citrine the most? How can you just let some guy take her away?"

Raymond''s eyes grew serious. "Of course I don''t want to lose her. But Citrine deserves to make her own decisions. She''s suffered enough, Now that she''s finally opened Ker heart to someone new, we should. support her, not make things harder and force her to choose between us and her boyfriend."  s

"You all know what she''s like-strong-willed and independent. If she''s decided to be with him she''s certainly thought it through. If you yous start picking on her boyfriend, she might just turn her back on you."  s

"If you want her to hate you, then go ahead and cause trouble."

Raymond''s words hit home. Everyone there knew Citrine''s personality-none of them wanted to risk her resentment.

"Alright, alright, we don''t want Citrine to hate us," Wade and Travis finally relented, abandoning any ns for sabotage.

Once she was sure everyone meant it, Hilda gave the Saunders men a few gentle reminders, then let it go.

After everything they''d been through, she understood her daughter better than anyone. Of course, she''d stand by her side.

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