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.

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

answering the conversation,

at Violeta's plate, while Frida, who was sitting gracefully beside him, smiled

bring the smoked

servant immediately brought the smoked duck to

awkwardly. "Thank you,

welcome. Make yourself

a while. She wondered when Hayden had noticed,

was excellent. Every dish on the table was

it took

hesitate and

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

"Sophomore year, she's

with a smile. "She's two years younger than Hayden. She

arrived, and several poker tables were set up in the living room. Nolan was

for him to have time to celebrate the New Year. But after this, he would be busy

about being a big star, saying he would be

after greeting Glen with her parents, sat aside playing

close, they had grown up

Moon Festival, Lucy

the long-lost daughter of the White family upon seeing her in a dancing dress. She had been reluctant

the Frost family's house today, Lucy had to

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

those rumors started-they were truly

Lucy's