Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 184 Unmasking the Façade

As soon as the Chess Association president mentioned Violeta on stage, the audience erupted in applause.

However, the first-year performing arts students sitting on the left were confused and surprised.

"What's going on? Isn't Zelena part of the Chess Association? Why is it Violeta instead?"

"Didn't we hear that the Chess Association president had taken a photo with Zelena and that she was a chess prodigy?"

Many eyes turned to look at Zelena in the front row.

She was seething, her teeth clenched in anger.

It finally dawned on her that Violeta had been working with Nolan under the Chess Association's direction to prepare for the lecture. Violeta wasn't trying to seduce Nolan as Zelena had thought.

Now, all of Zelena's efforts had inadvertently given credit to Violeta in the eyes of the unaware Chess Association president.

The president's public acknowledgment of Violeta felt like a slap in the face. Violeta had stolen her glory!

This wretch!

Zelena turned her head, glaring darkly at Violeta from a distance.

Violeta happened to meet her gaze, her light-colored eyes reflecting the auditorium lights.

into a vengeful spirit, ready to pounce on Violeta and tear

smug expression, had taken Zelena's credit, and it

event, everyone started to leave the auditorium. Zelena and her friends overheard some student council members talking up

great that so many people showed up for the

a few days ago, we were brainstorming ways to get

face turned pale with

was full because she had promised everyone a seafood feast if they attended the lecture. She even booked the East City seafood buffet restaurant for the weekend so the

more she thought about it,

up this time. You didn't check the situation before

been poorly attended, it would have been Violeta's failure. But with so many people showing up, of course,

chimed in, "It was probably Violeta's plan all along. When we went to the office, she

made

retrieve the ping-pong ball and how Violeta had subtly

all made sense

...

first notified Toland University about the lecture, Violeta and Nolan had been stressed

liked it would come without persuasion, while those who didn't wouldn't be interested no matter what. Then one day, Violeta noticed that Zelena passed

she formulated

of Zelena's actions would

aiming to

plan had succeeded, and the lecture was a

evening, Violeta happily went out for a buffet with the

angry to eat after realizing she had