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

isn't actually going to agree,

as he spoke, his tone half-amused, half-incredulous. This girl had some nerve, but clearly didn't know

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

start to finish, she looked every bit

warn you-we don't pull our

with each other. If

to Citrine's humility, Hastings sounded downright

fazed. She replied breezily, "Mr.

get hurt, try not to

her words sounded

one really

Hastings said, thinking of Kali, a cold glint

He accepted immediately.

gathered in thick circles, everyone

off, both

take her seriously. As far as he was concerned, this