Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 120 The Bet Begins

Violeta wasn't one to wait for payback, she believed in settling scores on the spot!

"Hahaha, you're pretty straightforward, but you're underestimating my whip," Nyla taunted.

"You'll regret betting against me."

Nyla was supremely confident. She didn't think she could lose, and even if she did, there was no way she would let Violeta whip her.

If she wanted to back out, she would.

The Yurtlandia Grasslands were her domain, and this woman trying to challenge her was like trying to defy a powerful local lord.

Violeta underestimated Nyla's shamelessness.

The bet was on.

Hayden and the others couldn't dissuade Violeta.

They had already prepared for the worst outcome. If Violeta wanted to compete, they would let her.

Niall was determined to support Violeta. Having a playful sister meant indulging her whims.

He would never let Nyla whip Violeta, rules were meaningless to them.

...

Since she had agreed to Violeta's bet, Nyla waited at the inn, ready to whip Violeta.

The situation had escalated, and Julian sent Sara to inform their father.

When Sawyer arrived at the stables, it was too late to stop it. Violeta was already untying Princess.

Sawyer pleaded, "Ms. White, you really shouldn't do this. Nyla will regret it, and even if you break her record, she will replace a way to turn it against you." Having dealt with Nyla for so many years, Sawyer knew her character all too well.

Nyla had a terrible character.

Winning or losing meant nothing to her.

Even if Violeta won, Nyla wouldn't keep her promise, so there was no point in making the bet in the first place.

As Violeta led Princess out of the stable, Sawyer continued to try to persuade her to drop the bet.

"Did Hayden get his injury treated?" she suddenly asked, interrupting him.

Sawyer was momentarily stunned. "Oh, the one in the white jacket? Yes, he's getting his wound treated."

"Good," Violeta replied.

"Who will be timing the challenge?"

Sawyer sighed. "Ms. White, I've been trying to tell you that this bet is pointless. Nyla won't honour it even if you win."

Violeta smiled slightly. "I've already agreed to the bet. I intend to keep my word. Whether she wants to or not isn't her decision."

The moment Nyla agreed, the bet was set in stone.

She wouldn't have a chance to back out.

Seeing Violeta's determination, Sawyer sighed again. "Alright, then."

However, he could tell that Violeta and her group were no ordinary people. Maybe it was Nyla who would end up getting a lesson.

Also, Princess was not an ordinary horse. She had Akhal-Teke blood, a lineage that was quite prestigious.

Sawyer glanced at Princess. "Ms. White, this horse doesn't like being ridden. How about I get you a different horse?

"I have one that is well-behaved and also has a prestigious lineage."

"No need. I like her," Violeta replied firmly.

Violeta turned and stroked Princess's mane, her calm eyes flashing with determination.

Princess's ears twitched slightly, still chewing on some hay.

Violeta led her to the starting point of the horseback riding challenge. Hayden had gone to get his arm treated, so only Jasper, Niall, and the other two were waiting for her.

As Violeta approached with the horse, they came up to meet her.

"Vio."

Violeta smiled at them.

At that moment, a few people carried over a chair, and Nyla sat on it. She gave Violeta and Princess a disdainful look. "It's not that I underestimate you, but if you ride that horse, you won't make it 30 feet before you fall. You should switch horses while you still can."

Princess's bad temper was well known.

Having been sold and returned multiple times, she had a reputation.

Falling off her could mean anything from a broken bone to paralysis.

Nyla herself had once fallen off Princess and broken her thigh, taking a long time to recover.

If Princess hadn't been so valuable, she would have killed her for meat already.

She didn't believe for a second that this woman could tame a horse she couldn't.

Violeta ignored her and, after exchanging a few words with Niall and the others, led Princess to the starting line and prepared to mount.

Niall wanted to help her, knowing Princess was a tall, fully grown horse.

Many beginners needed a stool and someone to assist them.

But to their surprise, Violeta expertly placed her hands on Princess's back, swung herself up, and sat firmly on the saddle.

Niall and the others were stunned.

They hadn't expected Violeta to actually know how to ride a horse.

Her smooth, practiced movements showed she was far from a beginner-she looked like a seasoned rider.

Nyla scoffed when she saw Violeta mount the horse. "She'll be thrown off in under two minutes."

However, not only did Violeta stay on, she sat confidently on Princess's back.

Princess's ears twitched, but she didn't seem to mind Violeta riding her.

Seeing this, Nyla was annoyed. "Even if she's on, she won't get the horse to run. Getting on is just the first step. She just got lucky!"