The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 727

Monday morning, Citrine woke up early and, after a quick breakfast, grabbed her suitcase and headed out the door.

This time, the company had organized a special team-building retreat and even chartered a bus, which now waited out front.

By the time Citrine arrived with her luggage, most of the employees were already gathered, chatting in small groups near the bus.

As soon as they spotted her, everyone seemed to perk up, quickly making their way over.

"Good morning, President Carmichael!”

"President Carmichael, did you have breakfast? I brought a croissant for you, just in case."

"President Carmichael, please, you should get on first."

"Here, let me take your bag, President Carmichael."

One by one, her employees greeted her with genuine warmth, eager to help.

Sebastian Vesper stood off to the side, silently taking it all in. When he'd first joined CICI Group, he'd been surprised-almost skeptical-of how the staff treated Citrine. At first, he'd assumed they were just trying to curry favor with the boss. But as time went on, seeing more of how things worked, he realized it wasn't about flattery.

She made sure they had the best benefits and treated everyone with real respect. The staff remembered her

team, the first time he'd felt the

boarded the bus. A faint smile played at his lips, and

a window seat near the back, pulling out her phone. She was scrolling through messages when she suddenly noticed

sit here?" he asked

into

tried to explain,

could finish, a young woman appeared, holding out a small

glanced politely at Sebastian. "Good morning, Mr.

the little tray in front of Sebastian and

go and turned back to her

later, the bus rumbled

enough the night before, and her eyelids felt heavy. She

she wasn't asleep and spoke up quietly,

voice barely above a whisper. "Not

that?" Sebastian's gaze flicked to her gently parted lips. He didn't think twice before the

she could ask, his cool fingertips were already pressing lightly at her temples. He'd leaned in so close that she could catch a hint