The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 743

Hastings Cooper did his best not to dwell on the fact that, under the sea, Citrine had given her own oxygen tank to Sebastian Vesper.

He looked at her intently and said, "Citrine, you were still willing to save me. I knew you couldn't be that heartless toward me."

Citrine was at a loss for words. She took a few steps back, putting more distance between them, and forced a half-smile. "Hastings, maybe you should take a good look in the mirror. The way you look right now is really not doing you any favors."

She was quickly running out of patience. "Alright, that's enough. Please, both of you, head back to your own boat."

Hastings' face darkened, and he couldn't keep lying to himself or ignore what Citrine had done-risking her life underwater to give her oxygen tank to Sebastian.

He shot Sebastian a glare full of resentment and jealousy.

Citrine caught the look in his eyes and her expression turned cold, a warning clear in her voice. "Hastings, you're a member of the Vermillion Vanguard. Your duty is to the people first, before yourself. Protecting others is your mission. Next time you make a decision, I suggest you remember who you are and whether you're living up to the responsibility that uniform represents."

of control his emotions had been today, and how close he'd come to

last, reluctant look at Citrine before turning to Quentin Aldridge beside him. "Quentin, let's go back to the

Citrine but said

only Citrine and Sebastian

back, Sebastian hesitated for a moment before breaking

you for giving me

In a life-or-death moment like that, not even family or friends would necessarily go so far, but she had

heart was pounding-gratitude and something far stronger surging

at him. Their eyes met,

look away, feigning composure. "Don't mention it. I used to do a lot of free diving, so I'm pretty familiar with

been part of the Vermillion Vanguard herself; the instinct to

matter what she said, he couldn't suppress the rush of