Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 161 The Crumbling Hope

Violeta recalled when she had taunted Hattie during their last gaming session.

Imagining her upcoming meeting with Hattie, she wondered who would be embarrassed.

"Whatever. If they come, they come. It's got nothing to do with us."

Liam, glancing at the rain splattering against the window. He never thought the island would sink, but here they were.

At first, he didn't want to run into them, but now it seemed unavoidable.

Niall tried to ease their concerns. "Rest assured. Hattie, her brother, and the other servants from the island will stay in the house next to the villa. Once the rain stops, they'll leave. Our staff will bring them meals daily so they won't bother you."

"That's a relief," Liam replied.

...

As the White Sunset docked, Hattie was so emotionally overwhelmed that her tears threatened to fall. "Benson, look at that enormous yacht! Dad must have sent Niall to rescue us. Let's hurry and get on board."

They boarded the White Sunset together with the other servants on the island.

Hattie had been pondering how they'd managed to get on the yacht before, but she never expected to board it in such a sorry state.

Although she was embarrassed, a flicker of pride ignited within her.

Once aboard, Hattie wasted no time. She struck poses from every angle, snapping photos and pairing them with haughty captions before posting them online.

Before they arrived at the island, she crafted a plan. As soon as she saw Niall, she'd chat with him, aiming to leave the best possible impression, maybe even charm him.

put on a waterproof full-face makeup look in

when they disembarked, her excitement plummeted. Niall was nowhere

"Where's Niall?"

a shuttle bus, answered, "Mr. Niall isn't here. So, hurry up and get into the

shabby shuttle bus before her. Meanwhile, many servants beside her

to squeeze with the servants. The thought of squeezing in with the drenched, sour smelly servants with her good dress made

Do we have to squeeze

because normally, no one else is here. You can squeeze enough in these three buses. We don't have the luxury ones for you to pick and choose. Unless you want to wait here while we take them and come back for

Hattie was speechless.

just get on the

her reluctance, she was more afraid of being left

The wind and

"Fine."

only climb into the shuttle

loomed closer,

at a junction, the shuttle suddenly veered off,

Aren't we

for you to

"What?!"

taken aback

small private cottage might be nice, but it meant she couldn't

We don't need to stay in

glanced at her through the rearview mirror,

can't make decisions in this

couldn't say a

hopes of meeting Niall crumbled before they