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.

saw a clean hand, then a black knitted

the conversation,

Frida, who was sitting gracefully

bring the

immediately brought the smoked duck

awkwardly. "Thank

Make yourself

a while. She wondered when Hayden had noticed, thinking she must have

excellent. Every dish on

nationwide, and it took a skilled chef to prepare it

hesitate and

the smoked duck and turned to Irene with a

she's

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

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

New Year. But after this, he would be

the others teased Nolan about being a big star, saying

greeting Glen with her parents, sat aside playing

weren't particularly close, they had grown up

Moon Festival, Lucy

White family upon seeing her in

house today, Lucy

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

where those rumors started-they were truly

play on her phone, Lucy's eyes frequently darted