The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 298

Citrine forced herself to keep singing, doing her best not to falter.

Meanwhile, Sebastian stood in the crowd, watching with a faint frown etched on his face.

Just as Citrine finished her song, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

Now came the entertainment segment-anyone could take the stage and show off a talent.

Maybe because everyone had just laughed at Citrine, Hastings, for once, seemed to take pity on her. He didn't try to make things harder.

But then, to everyone's shock, Citrine stepped forward on her own.

She looked straight at Hastings and said, "Mr. Cooper, I heard you're part of the Vermillion Vanguard. Rumor has it your squad's faced down real criminals from Magnolia, and you're all top-notch fighters. I've picked up a bit of sparring myself —would you do me the honor of a match?"

Hastings froze. So did the students and upperclassmen gathered to watch-their eyes widened in disbelief.

"A freshman challenging a member of the Vermillion Vanguard? She's got a death wish."

"Look at her-she looks like a stiff breeze would knock her over. Mr. Cooper will flatten her in seconds."

are nothing compared to real combat training. This girl's

going to agree,

help but laugh as he spoke, his tone half-amused, half-incredulous. This girl

had no idea what he was thinking. She kept her gaze respectful and earnest. "Mr. Cooper, I'm genuinely asking to

to finish, she looked

"Don't say I didn't warn you-we don't

each other. If you

Citrine's humility,

"Mr. Cooper, I'll say the same to

hurt, try not to take

her words

one really believed in

Hastings said, thinking of Kali, a cold glint

He accepted immediately.

had gathered in thick circles, everyone

faced off, both getting

far as he was concerned, this was a