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.

-thought you were too young, and spent all our time trying to

back then," someone else chimed

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

in a haze of stories and

just as happy

up. "Who knows if we'll ever get

through and through-big, honest, and as unassuming

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

Then Citrine broke it.

mission is a one-in-ten chance. Are any of you afraid?" Her tone was light, as if she were just asking what they'd had for

was

spoke first, his voice steady. "What's to be afraid of? We're part of the Vermillion Vanguard. Our duty is to take on missions for our country. If we have

us. We're your

were scared, we wouldn't

day we joined the Vanguard, we knew we were dedicating our lives to the country. Now, with the mission looming, if we bailed, We'd be cowards-and we'd

are always in our favor, no matter how bad things get." It was true-under Citrine's command, casualties

soldiers had fought by Citrine's side for years.

Hastings

eyes, they were

sense of pride. "You're the best soldiers I could

Citrine mid-drink. He marched right

glare at him-only for him

in our company!" Hastings' eyes were red, and there was an