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.

the direction of the fork and saw a clean hand, then a black knitted

answering the

plate, while Frida, who was sitting gracefully beside him, smiled and said, "Do you want

the smoked

servant immediately brought the

awkwardly.

Make

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

Every dish on the table

and it took a skilled chef to prepare it this

didn't hesitate and started

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

"Sophomore year, she's turning 20 this

"She's two years younger than Hayden. She looks just like you when you

Trivia families arrived, and several poker tables were set up

New Year. But after this, he would be busy again,

others teased Nolan about being a big star, saying he would

Glen with her parents, sat

particularly close, they had grown up in the same

the Moon

family upon seeing her in a dancing dress. She

Violeta at the Frost family's house today,

rumors in their club that Violeta might be the White

those rumors started-they were truly

Lucy's eyes frequently darted