Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

As soon as the Chess Association president mentioned Violeta on stage, the audience erupted in applause.

However, the first-year performing arts students sitting on the left were confused and surprised.

"What's going on? Isn't Zelena part of the Chess Association? Why is it Violeta instead?"

"Didn't we hear that the Chess Association president had taken a photo with Zelena and that she was a chess prodigy?"

Many eyes turned to look at Zelena in the front row.

She was seething, her teeth clenched in anger.

It finally dawned on her that Violeta had been working with Nolan under the Chess Association's direction to prepare for the lecture. Violeta wasn't trying to seduce Nolan as Zelena had thought.

Now, all of Zelena's efforts had inadvertently given credit to Violeta in the eyes of the unaware Chess Association president.

The president's public acknowledgment of Violeta felt like a slap in the face. Violeta had stolen her glory!

This wretch!

Zelena turned her head, glaring darkly at Violeta from a distance.

Violeta happened to meet her gaze, her light-colored eyes reflecting the auditorium lights.

If anger could take form, Zelena would have turned into a vengeful spirit, ready to pounce on Violeta and tear her apart.

Violeta, with her smug expression, had taken Zelena's credit, and it was infuriating.

After the event, everyone started to leave the auditorium. Zelena and her friends overheard some student council members talking up ahead.

"It's great that so many people showed up for the lecture today."

"Just a few days ago, we were brainstorming ways to get more attendees. We never expected to fill all the seats."

Zelena's face turned pale with anger.

The auditorium was full because she had promised everyone a seafood feast if they attended the lecture. She even booked the East City seafood buffet restaurant for the weekend so the whole class could go. She had spent money, only for Violeta to get the credit.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Back in the classroom, Hattie heard about what happened and couldn't help but laugh. "Lena, you really messed up this time. You didn't check the situation before acting. At the very least, you should have let Nolan know about your efforts.

"But then again, if the lecture had been poorly attended, it would have been Violeta's failure. But with so many people showing up, of course, the president would praise her."

Candy chimed in, "It was probably Violeta's plan all along. When we went to the office, she deliberately showed me the computer screen! She's so manipulative."

Candy had finally made a smart observation.

Thinking back to when she went under the table to retrieve the ping-pong ball and how Violeta had subtly stepped back...

It all made sense now.

...

When the Chess Association first notified Toland University about the lecture, Violeta and Nolan had been stressed about filling the seats.

They had brainstormed countless ideas, but chess was one of those things-those who liked it would come without persuasion, while those who didn't wouldn't be interested no matter what. Then one day, Violeta noticed that Zelena passed by the student council president's office every noon.

At that moment, she formulated a plan.

Not taking advantage of Zelena's actions would have been a wasted opportunity.

Violeta deliberately visited the student council president's office every noon before Zelena, aiming to catch her attention and subtly push her to contribute to the lecture.

Now, her plan had succeeded, and the lecture was a complete success.

That evening, Violeta happily went out for a buffet with the student council members.

Meanwhile, Zelena was too angry to eat after realizing she had been used.

Despite previously dismissing Jour 24's clothing, when Hattie discovered that Jour 24 was located directly opposite O'Hara's in a foreign country, she couldn't resist.

Over the weekend, she found a way to purchase the latest high-end line of Jour 24 at nearly three times the original price.

However, when Hattie walked into class on Monday, proudly wearing her new Jour 24 outfit, she was shocked to see Zelena wearing the exact same piece. Apparently, they had both had the same idea.

"Where did you get that outfit?" Hattie asked.

Zelena replied, "My mom had a friend from Wiltonshire send it. How about you, Hattie?"

Hattie responded, "Ha, same here. My mom bought it for me. I didn't even want to wear it, but she insisted. I figured it was just sitting there, so I wore it today."

They exchanged a look, their smiles not quite reaching their eyes.

In reality, neither of their outfits had come from friends. Zelena had paid three times the price to get hers through a proxy, and so had Hattie.

They didn't want to admit the truth, feeling it would be embarrassing.

After all, they had previously mocked the clothing, but now they were wearing it.

Jour 24 had become incredibly popular. In the performing arts department, it was almost becoming the unofficial uniform. Not having one marked someone as not keeping up with trends.