Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 232 My Dad's Buddy's Daughter

People had mixed opinions. Some said Violeta didn't know how to appreciate goodwill, while others supported her, saying she wouldn't compromise for small benefits. But after this incident, Lucy and Violeta's relationship really hit a breaking point.

Lucy had invited Violeta, but her refusal definitely made their bad relationship worse.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, at the tennis court.

The tennis place just got some new gear, and they tossed out the old stuff.

Everyone heard about Violeta turning down Lucy's birthday bash and cheered her on.

The tennis club's rich kids were all over the place, but they couldn't stand the dance crew, so they did not feel Lucy's fancy party vibe at all.

"Violeta, way to go rejecting Lucy. People might think she's some big shot or something."

"Yeah, she's not my cup of tea."

Violeta just gave them a smirk and headed off to warm up on the court.

After she finished, she spotted Hayden and his crew rolling up.

Violeta went over and chatted with them for a bit. Suddenly, her phone rang with an electronic tone-it was Irene calling.

"Hello, Mom."

Irene's gentle voice came through, "Vio, come home earlier today. We're going out for dinner tonight."

Just as Violeta answered the phone.

Meanwhile, Zoren peeled an orange and said, "Do you guys know? Elle is flying back today."

Liam replied, "She's back today? I heard she was going to retire from the front line a while back."

Jasper chuckled. "Looks like Hade's family will need an extra table for the New Year party this year."

Hayden sat nearby and remarked, "She's changing careers this time. She's back."

Zoren asked, "Huh? Switching careers, to what? Is she leaving the military?"

Hayden replied, "I think she's going to be a news anchor. She's already got the position."

The Cohens only had this one daughter. Rumor had it that she got injured on her last mission, so she was back in Quinston to recuperate. Plus, she was getting on in years, so it was time for her to settle down Hayden knew a bit more insider info than the rest of them.

In short, when Elaine came back, she'd probably be the news anchor for the military channel.

After their chat, Violeta happened to finish her call.

"I can't train today. I need to head home early," Violeta said as she bent down to pack up her tennis racket.

"It seems like one of my dad's old army buddy's daughters is back. We're having dinner together tonight."

Zoren said, "Oh, you mean Elle."

Violeta was taken aback. "Yeah, it turns out you know about her too."

Liam said, "We were just talking about her earlier."

Jasper remarked, "Hade said she's probably gonna be a news anchor this time she's back."

Violeta's movements froze slightly.

Hayden really hit the nail on the head.

From Violeta's memories of her past life, Elaine did indeed become a news anchor later on.

Didn't expect Hayden to know so much.

"Okay, I'm off. See you tomorrow, no wait, it should be next week."

Violeta waved to them with her tennis racket on her back, then briskly left the tennis court and headed straight out of school.

Hayden glanced at Violeta's departing figure, watching her graceful silhouette fade into the distance. He slowly withdrew his gaze and said to them, "I'm heading out too."

They came over to check out the workers installing the new gear.

Hayden didn't really have to come, but he just wanted to catch a glimpse of Violeta. Now that she was gone, he didn't feel like sticking around.

After Violeta got back home to the Whites residence, she changed clothes and joined them for dinner.

They headed to Summit Hotel where Anton had booked a private room, waiting for the Cohens to arrive.

When old friends met, they didn't bother with formalities. So after Anton gave them the private room number, he waited inside.

Violeta sat next to Irene, with Niall on her right.

She noticed Niall seemed lost in thought and called out, "Hey."

Niall didn't hear her.

"Niall."

"Huh?"

Niall snapped out of it and turned to Violeta. "What's wrong?"

Violeta smiled gently, "What's got you zoning out?"

Niall's eyelashes twitched slightly as he sighed softly. "Well, maybe it's been so long since we last met. I wonder how she's changed now."

Violeta nodded. "Yeah, I heard you and Elle grew up together, right?"

Niall and Elaine were almost the same age, with less than a year between them. Niall was born in early winter, while Elaine was born in the long heat of summer. They were about the same age and attended the same school from elementary to high school.

Later on, Niall studied business management while Elaine went to a military academy.

Elaine had a good personality. When she was younger, she kept her hair short like a boy. They were mischievous together, forming a close bond.

It wasn't until middle school when Elaine had her first period that Niall truly realised she was a girl.

In their memories, back in the hot summer of their senior year in high school, evening classes ran late. Irene would remind Niall to walk Elaine home because she was a girl. They'd grab ice pops together, and then he'd walked Elaine home.

As they got close to her place, Elaine stood under a streetlight with a half-eaten ice pop in her mouth, asking Niall which school he wanted to go to.