Chapter 440

Hastings immediately realized his mistake. He stepped back, apologizing, "Sorry." He hadn't known she hated the smell of smoke.

As soon as he spoke, Hastings retreated further, standing outside the door.

Citrine slipped on a jacket and glanced at him coolly. "Let's talk outside."

They went downstairs and got into Hastings's car. He tried to sound casual. "There's a new bistro nearby. How about we grab a bite?"

Citrine didn't even hesitate. "No. That's unnecessary. We won't have much to say anyway." She had no interest in sharing a romantic meal with a man she could barely stand.

Hastings seemed to take the hint; his face went pale.

"You really hate me that much?" he asked quietly.

She wouldn't even spare him the time for dinner.

Citrine's lips curled in a faint, unapologetic smile.

She spoke first. "I'm sure you've seen my latest Insta post."

There was a trace of disdain in her voice. "Hastings, face reality. I've got money, power, and the Cooper family doesn't scare me. To me, you're just a plaything- when I'm in a good mood, you get a treat; when I'm not, you get slapped down."

If anyone else had spoken to Hastings like this, he would have snapped their neck without a second thought. But with Citrine, he was helpless.

"A plaything? Citrine Carmichael, you really are heartless." Hastings stared at her, stunned by how cold she could be.

If Citrine weren't the chairwoman of CICI Group, maybe Hastings could've used his own family's influence to pressure her. But she wasn't just anyone-she was the chairwoman, and not in name only. She actually held power. Unlike him, the so-called heir of the Cooper family, who was still under his father's thumb.

Citrine barely lifted her eyes, her tone dripping with mockery. "Since you know I don't have a heart, why don't you go home?" She wanted him to feel utterly humiliated.

Hastings pressed his lips together. He wanted to hate this woman, but somehow, he just couldn't.

Looking at her, he said quietly, "If I'm just a plaything, why don't you keep playing with me?"

"Go ahead, use me. I'm right here."

Citrine raised an eyebrow, surprised by just how low the once-arrogant golden boy could stoop. "Wow. Didn't think you had it in you, Hastings."

Was this really the same man who used to look down on her, torment her every chance he got?

Unbelievable.

She looked him up and down, and her smile turned cruel. "Too bad I'm not into desperate men. It's pathetic."

She was losing patience. "Isn't it embarrassing for the Cooper family's only heir to grovel like this?"

ет

No one had ever called Hastings pathetic before. He let out a cold, incredulous laugh and suddenly grabbed her by the throat. "Pathetic? Citrine Carmichael, you really think I'd grovel for anyone else? It's only ever been for you. Can't you see that?"

Citrine just grinned at him, unbothered. “Oh, I see it."

With a scoff, she knocked his hand away from her neck and spoke

really think all this groveling will make you my boyfriend?"

slowly, deliberately. "But do and

"If that's what you believe, let me be clear: keep dreaming."

She leaned in, twisting the knife. "Hastings, I'm going to have a boyfriend

someday. I'll marry him, have kids. But it'll never, ever be you."

Hastings's eyes burned with rage. "Citrine Carmichael, you really are ruthless."

Just picturing her with another man made him feel like he was losing his mind. The thought of her getting married-he honestly wasn't sure he could stop himself from killing whoever it might be.