Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 114 Trip to Verdancia

The two were green with envy, like an overcooked, bitter cabbage.

Kaylee could not resist commenting, "Why so bitter, you two? I can smell it from here."

She continued enthusiastically, "The perks at Sunset Cafe are amazing. You work just a few hours, get three meals a day, and even afternoon tea with snacks! It's an easy gig with great benefits." The classmates listened with growing envy.

The job sounded too good to be true, a real gem among summer jobs.

Curious and hopeful, a classmate asked, "Violeta, are there any more openings at your cafe?"

Violeta replied simply, "No."

"Oh well."

A collective sigh of disappointment filled the room.

Zelena, watching the interaction, tried a different angle. "Violeta, are you sure you don't want to come home this summer? Mom and Dad said they're taking me to Verdancia! You'll miss out."

A classmate exclaimed, "Verdancia? Wow, Lena, that sounds like an amazing trip!"

Zelena downplayed it. "It's just a regular trip, really. We're going to enjoy the scenery and all. Don't worry, I'll bring back gifts for everyone."

Zelena, it must be great being you.

from those around her,

asked Hattie, "Hattie, where are

bought a little island in the North Sea, so I

An island?

Wow!

the class could even digest Zelena's trip to Verdancia, they learned of Hattie's

to compare

annoyance. With a forced smile, she said, "Hattie, don't forget to bring us some autographs from

turned to Violeta. "Violeta, you haven't answered

ignoring Zelena, who seized the opportunity

saving enough to buy gifts

her earnings, aside from travel expenses, to buy them gifts. Despite her month-long

time, freshly returned from shopping in Verdancia with Zelena, Violeta's gifts paled in comparison to the designer items Zelena flaunted, leading to mockery despite

determined not to repeat the humiliation

"I'm not going back."

go instead?" Zelena asked with a patronizing tone, "Are you just going to lounge around the

having not yet finalized her summer

trip to the Yurtlandia Grasslands for horseback riding and other adventures in

just mind your own business?" Violeta

how uneventful Violeta's past summers had been, presuming this year would