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.

about to make a witty comment when Hayden shot him

Just one look.

Jasper understood immediately-Hayden was

all knew what that

the rest of

around Liam's shoulders, and the two of them quietly retreated to

drawing attention, Jasper's eyes flicked briefly toward the hem of Violeta's dress. He pulled out his phone and, without hesitation, canceled his lunch plans for the day. Normally, Jasper never ate at the cafeteria. But that afternoon,

that evening, someone teased him about

you this semester? You're acting differently. Cafeteria food? That's

shot the guy a glance. "Got nothing better

man, just

group burst into laughter, thinking

expression darkened. He threw his drink at

got mad. Even when people joked about his

But this time...

in beer, quickly set his cup down

close

things over. "Come on,

l.ne

No need

belongs to en.kikiston

the vibe," Jasper said and stood

after grabbing

felt like

doesn't like a generous

was the only son of

consulted a

picture

rocky road in