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."

responded with a mix of envy and excitement, "That's awesome! Zelena, it must be

from those around her, Zelena

Hattie, "Hattie, where are you headed this

a little island in the North Sea, so I guess that's

An island?

Wow!

digest Zelena's trip to Verdancia, they

maddening to compare oneself with

a forced smile, she said, "Hattie, don't forget to

Violeta. "Violeta, you haven't answered me yet. Aren't you coming back with

who seized

working in Quinston, saving enough to buy gifts for Mr. and Mrs. Blake back

knew that Mr. and Mrs. Blake were very selective and preferred high-quality items, so she generously used most of her earnings, aside from travel

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

was determined not to repeat the humiliation

"I'm not going back."

with a patronizing tone, "Are you just going to

not yet finalized her summer plans, remained

discussed a trip to the Yurtlandia Grasslands for horseback riding and other adventures in their group chat, extending an invitation

my own. Why don't you just mind your own business?"

recalling how uneventful Violeta's past summers had been, presuming this year would be no