The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 297

That afternoon, while everyone else alternated between drills and rest, Citrine was either being punished or on her way to another round of it.

She prided herself on her stamina, but even she couldn't withstand an entire afternoon of relentless training. While others caught their breath, she was running laps or doing push-ups as punishment.

By half past five, Citrine staggered back to the dorm, utterly spent. She didn't even have the appetite to eat; she just collapsed onto her bed.

Ingrid and the others were worried sick. They'd brought back some food from the dining hall, but when they walked in and saw Citrine sprawled out, they couldn't bear to wake her.

Ingrid quietly set the food on the desk and whispered to the others, "Let's just let Citrine rest. She's been through hell today, and we have to muster for the sing- along later. Who knows what that damn Hastings will put her through next?" The more Ingrid spoke, the more indignant she sounded.

The group tiptoed to their own bunks, put on headphones, and scrolled through their phones, careful not to disturb her.

When it was almost time, they gently woke Citrine.

After a short nap, Citrine looked much better-her color had returned and she seemed more alert.

reached the field, the sing-along

line of sight, Ingrid and the others found

Hastings spotted her

and he abruptly stopped the cadet who'd been leading the

twitched-a sure sign

Hastings fixed his gaze on her. "Citrine Carmichael," he called out, "your physical training scores are the highest in

She was convinced Hastings had somehow

scared her-except singing. She was tone-deaf. The last time she'd gone with her classmates to Siren's Whisper, she'd cranked the original track to full volume and barely mouthed the words, hoping no one

wasn't about to let her off the hook. "Citrine, following orders is the foundation of discipline," he

had gathered at the training grounds, eager to watch the freshmen's military drills. If Citrine refused, she knew by tomorrow morning, the whole campus would be gossiping online-accusing her

sing," Citrine

the trumpet sound,

got the first line out

God, is she