Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 171 Elaine Cohen

Irene eagerly asked Violeta to try on the jewellery.

Violeta's wrists were small, and the bangle fit perfectly. It felt like it was made just for her.

The emerald bracelet was also a perfect fit, comfortable to wear.

"Thanks, Mom."

Niall, sitting nearby, felt a bit left out. He asked, "Mom, didn't you get anything for me?"

Irene's happy expression dimmed a bit at Niall's words. She turned to the servant and ordered, "Bring me the booklet from my bag." "Alright, Madam."

Thinking it was something good, Niall eagerly waited as the servant fetched the booklet, which Irene handed to him.

Opening it, Niall saw phone numbers, addresses, and photos of girls, all carefully selected by Irene. They were Hoitenese studying abroad.

Niall's face instantly turned serious.

Irene explained, "I carefully selected these girls in Verdancia! They all come from good families and have excellent morals and character. I even did background checks on them and wrote everything in this booklet."

Irene chose girls based on their character and personality, not their family background.

All the girls in the booklet were around Niall's age and had good qualities.

"I've put my reputation on the line for this! I even asked my best friends to help me make this list. You have to take advantage of this opportunity! With so many names on the list, one of them's bound to like you, right?"

Niall's excitement faded, and he threw the booklet onto the couch.

"I don't like any of them."

Irene was not pleased. "You don't like any? Niall, You're going to give me a heart attack!"

Anton stepped in. "Don't worry. Otis's daughter will be back soon, and we can arrange something then."

Niall briefly hesitated at the mention of Otis's daughter.

Irene raised an eyebrow. "Elle's coming back? Is she discharged?"

"No, she's transferred to the military base here. She got injured on her last mission."

Elle, last name Cohen ...

Violeta thought of a charming military news anchor.

Elaine Cohen.

Could it be her?

"Mom, who's that?" Violeta asked.

Irene explained, "She's Elaine, the daughter of one of your dad's old friends. We call her Elle. She served in the military for years after leaving Quinston."

It seemed Violeta's guess was right; it was indeed Elaine.

When Elaine's name came up, Anton's eyes shone with admiration.

"Vio, you should think of her as a sister. Elle is around your brother's age, and we watched her grow up.'

When Anton was younger, he rebelled against his micromanaging family and joined the military for two years.

He had many friends from that time, and they all held important positions now, meeting up once a year.

The Cohen family had a military background, and Elaine went to a military college.

Originally, Otis's family only had one daughter. They planned to replace her a civilian job, but Elaine decided to join the border patrol on her own.

She left five years ago, and now it had been six.

Violeta smiled. "So, Elle and Niall are childhood sweethearts?"

Niall avoided the question, stood up, and said, "I'm going upstairs."

Watching Niall leave, Violeta's interest peaked as she sensed there might be a story here! Looking at the expensive bangle and emerald bracelet, Violeta decided not to wear the bangle. "Mom, I'll stick with the emerald bracelet. I'm worried the other one might break." Expensive bangles like that should be placed somewhere safe, and its value would grow in time. People wouldn't wear million-dollar jewellery out, unless it was for an important occasion. However, a bracelet would be casual enough for daily wear.

Irene agreed. "Sure, it's your gift. Wear what you like, dear."

"Okay."

Violeta remembered Elaine from her past life.

She had seen Elaine on the news when she worked as a stunt double after graduation.

Elaine was a confident military anchor, exuding elegance. Violeta regarded her as the most dashing one among all the short-haired women she had seen.

To reach that position, she must have had a strong resume and professional skills.

However, Violeta hadn't taken time to study her in her past life.

If her parents hadn't brought her up today, she wouldn't have crossed Violeta's mind.

Nevertheless, Violeta regarded Elaine as an admirable person, seeing as she chose to serve at the border for close to six years despite the challenges.