Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 210 The Price of Silence

Zelena's heart skipped a beat, and she struggled to maintain a calm facade as she responded, "What do you know? Hah, what's your game here? Don't try to deceive me. You think you can pull one over on me?"

Kaylee didn't back down. "I'm not bluffing. I know about you bullying a classmate at Eighth Middle School in Arlowand, causing her to lose her hearing. That doesn't match the innocent act you put on at school. Zelena's eyes widened. Her past misdeeds were her biggest secret.

Ever since she returned to the Blake family, she had been pretending to be a perfect, kind-hearted girl, never mentioning her past. She thought changing cities meant no one would ever know what she did in middle school. But now...

"I know a lot more! Your reputation is about to be trashed!"

Zelena panicked. She couldn't let anything tarnish her spotless reputation.

Upon hearing Kaylee's words, a wave of panic swept over her.

But then she quickly composed herself, smirking. "If you wanted to expose me, you would have done it already. Why wait until now?"

Kaylee was momentarily speechless.

Zelena felt relief and satisfaction, knowing she had struck a nerve.

She couldn't help but feel a twinge of smugness, reassured that it wasn't Violeta who had uncovered her secret. Unlike Violeta, who would have likely exposed her without hesitation, Kaylee seemed to have her own motives and agenda.

Realising there was room for negotiation, Zelena saw a glimmer of hope.

"Come on, what do you really want? And how did you find out about this?"

Kaylee hesitated briefly, then said, "You can pay me to keep quiet about it. This information comes with a price tag!"

narrowed her

as she suspected, it all came down

there was nothing money couldn't solve in this

you've resorted to blackmailing me

say? You don't have much time to decide. It's Friday today, right before the weekend's college competition. If you refuse, I

her arms. "Before asking for money, shouldn't you show me what evidence you

Zelena half of the evidence Violeta

felt a chill down her spine. She had not expected Shirley to move to Quinston to work at a nursing home near Toland University. It was fortunate that this idiot, Kaylee, had told her about i first. Zelena couldn't shake the thought of what might have happened if Shirley

things all from

gotta pay up, and I can delete it

flashed with

This jerk!

much do you

"15,000."

Zelena paused, taken aback.

Another 15,000?

as Six to investigate this matter. Now, Kaylee was asking for the same sum.

and I'll

I trust you?" Zelena

phone. After you pay me, I'll hand it over to you," Kaylee replied

the bell for class

who had been hiding upstairs, also

"Don't tell Violeta about

turned and walked into the