The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 337

"Citrine Carmichael, you're out of line." There was a flicker of anger on Hastings' face as he shot Citrine a cold, mocking smile. "Go home. This isn't some playground for your little games."

He glared at Citrine, then shrugged off all his gear and tossed it onto the ground, making it clear he was done playing along.

At that, the rest of the squad burst into applause.

"Hastings is right."

"We're a team of tough guys-no way we're letting some little girl push us around."

"Look, you're just a kid. We won't hold it against you, but you better head home and have them send us a male instructor next time." The word "male" landed with heavy emphasis.

Citrine shot the group a look of utter disappointment. "Real tough, aren't you?"

Her voice was like ice. "You want a new instructor? Keep dreaming."

"The first lesson for any soldier is to follow orders. From where I stand, none of you are even close to being proper soldiers."

us?" That was the one thing these men couldn't stand to

his annoyance palpable. "Instructor Carmichael, we don't accept your judgment. You've got no right to

you sit in the car. What gives you the right to judge

a girl-what real skills do you have? You make us run a ten-mile endurance course with full packs, but I'd like to

with those skinny arms and legs, I doubt

over. "If you're not convinced, why not

we train for most. If you can beat any of us, we'll do whatever

agreed

hand-to-hand combat. In the whole squad, Hastings

the best fighter here.

gave Hastings a

this girl during boot camp still stung, and

on, Captain, don't joke around-nobody in the Vermillion Vanguard can outfight you." The

down, he hoped that last loss to Citrine had just been

off her jacket and beckoned to

Hastings didn't hesitate. He stepped into the ring,

didn't dare let his guard down. As soon as he was