Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 263 Because I Didn't Want To

New Year celebrations should have this kind of atmosphere. Inside, several gambling tables were already set up, ready for poker after lunch. Old friends rarely get to gather for New Year.

Everyone's schedules are usually packed, and while they might see each other occasionally, such festive gatherings are very rare.

Among Violeta's generation, Niall and Elaine were the oldest.

Violeta was the youngest.

During lunch, everyone was well-mannered. When the elders chatted, the younger ones rarely interrupted.

Coincidentally, Violeta wasn't very talkative, so she was more interested in the food than the conversation.

The local cuisine of Quinston was served.

Violeta eyed the sugar-coated fruit and smoked duck several times but hesitated to take any.

Irene wrapped a cornbread for Violeta and handed it to her. The cornbread was stuffed with fillings, and one bite was incredibly delicious. Still, Violeta wanted the smoked duck.

There wasn't much smoked duck, and since this wasn't her home, she felt it impolite to reach for it.

While sipping her water, Violeta overheard the conversation shift to Hayden and his peers' prospects.

Hayden's name came up, of course.

Violeta listened intently. Just then, a piece of smoked duck appeared on her plate.

She was startled.

fork and saw a clean hand, then a black knitted sweater

the conversation, retracted

gracefully beside him,

bring the

the

smiled awkwardly. "Thank

welcome. Make

eyeing the smoked duck for a while. She wondered when Hayden had noticed, thinking she must have been quite

family's chef was excellent. Every dish

duck was famous nationwide, and it took a skilled chef to prepare

didn't hesitate

watched Violeta enjoy the smoked duck and turned to Irene with a smile. "Irene, how

year, she's turning 20

two years younger than Hayden. She looks just like

poker tables were set up

him to have time to celebrate the New Year. But after this, he would be busy again, likely not returning to school for his

a big star, saying he would

with her parents, sat aside

their relationships weren't particularly close, they had grown up in the same

Moon Festival,

upon seeing her in a dancing dress. She had been reluctant to

at the Frost family's house today, Lucy

had been rumors in their club that Violeta might be the White family's illegitimate child, Zoren's sister, which Lucy

where those rumors started-they

Lucy's eyes frequently darted