The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 340

A single, decidedly unflattering comment left Hastings blushing in an instant.

Citrine’s laughter was dazzling, and for a moment, Hastings couldn’t tear his eyes away. By the time he realized he was staring, even the tips of his ears had turned pink.

The room erupted into applause for him.

“Captain, you’re incredible!” someone called out.

Noticing the growing flush in his cheeks, another teammate nudged closer. “Hey, Captain, are you coming down with something? Your face is bright red.”

“Even your ears are red!” another chimed in.

“Oh, cut it out,” Hastings shot back, pushing them away.

Almost reflexively, he turned to look straight at Citrine.

She was watching him too.

Citrine wasn’t naive—in fact, she was sharp as a tack, always attuned to people’s moods. Now, she gave Hastings a subtle, knowing smile.

He was about to smile back when, out of nowhere, Citrine quipped, “Hopeless.”

Hastings’s would-be smile vanished in an instant, but the color in his ears only deepened.

Citrine lost interest and moved on, shifting her focus to put each team member through a round of one-on-one training.

With her guidance, everyone made noticeable progress in their specialties.

After the special training sessions, Citrine organized a series of simulated military drills, helping the team adapt ahead of time.

At the end of each exercise, she would break down the tactics used by both sides, analyzing strategies and counter-strategies. She’d even explain what she might have done if she were the enemy.

By the end of the month, the real combat drill against the Magnolia squad was about to begin.

On their final day of preparation, Citrine stood before the group—not mocking, not aloof, but genuinely focused. She gave everyone a thumbs-up.