The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 768

After coming to an agreement with Ogden, Citrine asked Wade to send her luggage over to the Vermillion Vanguard headquarters.

Today, Citrine had already mapped out the Vermillion Vanguard's mission to Mirage Cay, assigning each member their specific roles. Yet, as she considered the risks ahead, a heaviness settled in her chest.

This mission was perilous-danger hanging over them like a storm cloud. It was the kind of operation where every soldier was staking their life.

Because of this, Citrine decided to host a team dinner that night, giving everyone a chance to unwind together. The following day, she'd let the squad go home to see their families-just in case.

That evening, after some discussion, they decided to keep things informal and eat together in the mess hall.

When Citrine arrived, the soldiers rose as one.

"Boss, you're here."

She nodded to them, signaling everyone to sit before taking a seat beside Sherman.

With a major operation looming and their fates uncertain, tonight was their chance

to let loose-if only for a few hours, drowning their worries in good drink.

Citrine raised her glass. "Tonight, we drink till we can't stand."

A chorus of raised glasses followed. "Drink till we drop!"

Soon, the conversation turned to funny stories from past training sessions.

young, and spent

ridiculous we looked back then," someone else chimed in, grinning. "Honestly,

joining in. Those days had been tough, but they were also some of the

on in a haze of stories and laughter,

just as happy as the

up. "Who knows if we'll ever get to share a drink like this again? Let's

farm boy through and through-big, honest, and as unassuming

sudden hush. No one spoke; the mess hall fell into a heavy

Then Citrine broke it.

Are any of you afraid?" Her tone was light, as if she were just asking what they'd had

response was immediate and

is to take on missions for our country. If we have to give our

us. We're your soldiers. We'd

were scared, we wouldn't deserve

we joined the Vanguard, we knew we were dedicating our lives to the country. Now, with the

knows that as long as you're leading us, the odds are always in our favor, no matter how bad things get." It was true-under Citrine's command, casualties were

had fought by Citrine's side for years. Some had

from Hastings Cooper's

eyes, they were

of pride. "You're the

in, catching Citrine mid-drink. He marched right over and snatched the glass from

spun to glare at him-only for him to

I chosen? I'm the best soldier in our company!" Hastings' eyes were red, and there was an edge of wounded pride in