Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 697 Their First Meeting

When Zoren returned with his phone in hand, Jasper gave him a smirk.

"So, he turned you down, huh? Haha."

Zoren took a sip from the beer on the table. "Guess what? Hade agreed."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "What? He actually agreed? Not bad."

Of course, Zoren wasn't about to tell them what kind of deal they made. "Yep!"

Just then, Jasper's phone rang. He glanced at it but didn't answer right away. "Alright, that's it for today, I'm heading out." Liam nodded. "Got it."

When Jasper first laid eyes on Violeta, she wasn't at all what he had expected.

"Hade, are we just going to wait here? I feel like we're too early. Zoren's cousin probably isn't even downstairs yet."

Jasper's voice trailed off as he spoke.

His eyes locked onto a figure ahead, a girl in a simple dress.

Violeta was standing right in front of them. Jasper's gaze unintentionally met hers-her eyes were calm, emotionless, neither happy nor sad.

In that instant, the vague image he had of her suddenly became much clearer.

Hayden spoke calmly, "She's standing right there."

Jasper had a brief moment of regret.

If he had known, he wouldn't have been so quick to refuse Zoren's request.

a witty comment when Hayden shot him a

Just one look.

years of friendship, Jasper understood

knew what that

set on something, the rest of

retreated to the back, trailing behind the others as they headed toward

his phone and, without hesitation, canceled his lunch plans for the day. Normally, Jasper never ate at

evening, someone teased him about

what's up with you this semester? You're acting differently. Cafeteria food? That's so not like

glance. "Got

man,

into laughter, thinking

expression darkened. He threw his drink at the guy.

got mad. Even when people joked

But this time...

beer, quickly set his cup down

close

things over. "Come on,

l.ne

it wasn't that serious. No need

belongs to en.kikiston

You're ruining the vibe," Jasper said and stood

left after grabbing

that moment, it felt like something

like

only

was three, his mother, Cynthia, consulted a psychic in the mountains about

picture and said only

road