The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 349

Hastings didn’t seem the least bit annoyed.

He looked at Citrine with a small smile. “How about we grab dinner together, Instructor Carmichael?”

Citrine hesitated, about to refuse, when out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of Kali standing not far behind Hastings.

She let her lips curl into a slight smile and changed her mind on the spot.

“Sounds great,” she replied cheerfully.

Hastings’s eyes lit up, genuine surprise flickering across his face. “Does this mean we’re calling it even?”

“Of course.” Citrine nodded, her expression pleasant even as she scoffed inwardly.

Meanwhile, Kali watched the exchange, stunned. She’d always been able to twist Hastings around her little finger, but now, here he was—beaming at Citrine like an overexcited kid.

The way Hastings looked at Citrine, there was no mistaking it: pure infatuation.

Why her? Kali’s face twisted, her jealousy impossible to hide.

If Hastings had fallen for someone else, maybe she could have stomached it. But Citrine? Of all people—after just a month of training?

What did that conniving woman have that she didn’t? The thought made Kali clench her fists so tightly her nails bit into her palms. She wanted nothing more than to tear Citrine to pieces.

By then, Hastings and Citrine had already arrived at the movie theater.

Hastings had reserved the entire auditorium—just the two of them, no one else in sight.

When Citrine entered and saw the empty rows of seats, she paused for a moment, then quickly understood.

He’d booked out the whole place. He really must be smitten, she thought with a wry amusement. So this was the depth of his feelings for Kali? Apparently, not quite as unshakable as she’d assumed.

The theater was dimly lit, shadows blending into silence. But Citrine’s lips curled up in a faint, knowing smile.

Originally, Hastings had planned to watch a horror movie—his favorite. But at the last minute, for reasons he couldn’t explain, he switched to a romantic film instead.

As the movie began, both sat facing the giant screen. Citrine looked perfectly at ease, while Hastings, sitting beside her, seemed oddly tense.

Citrine glanced over, caught the stiffness in his posture, and chuckled. “Nervous?”