Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 243 Solving the Riddles

But her grades had always been pretty bad. Every time this came up, that old lady would nag about it. Many times during meals, she brought up how bad her grades were, basically saying that such poor performance was embarrassing the Ridges.

Luckily, Carl wasn't as strict about what Hattie achieved.

He just expected Hattie's grades not to be at the bottom, and she must pass the final exams.

With the end of the semester approaching, if her grades were too low this time, she'd be caught by that old nag from the family again.

It's really getting more annoying the more I think about it.

If participating in the game in the Old Town this time could earn credits, Hattie would definitely join.

Soon after, everyone showed up.

Violeta gave them the handbooks and told everyone that doing well in the game activities at the Old Town could earn them bonus points.

The student council arranged for a senior to go with them to the Old Town. They'd have half an hour to do their own thing and then gather back at the lodge at noon for lunch.

The leader made sure everyone got the message.

The scenery in the Old Town was delightful.

Kaylee stopped frequently along the way, taking lots of photos with Violeta and posting them on her Instagram.

She even got a free keychain shaped like an ancient pagoda.

Once they scattered, everyone started doing their own thing. Some went to puppetry shows, while others, who had credits deducted at school, headed straight to the game booths to participate. Violeta spotted the riddle guessing game advertised in the pamphlet earlier and was very interested, so she headed to the riddle guessing booth.

When they arrived, there was already a long line in front of the booth.

Kaylee asked, "Vio, do you want to try guessing riddles?"

Violeta pointed to the sign next to them that listed the prizes.

Correctly guessing five riddles got a cute rabbit-themed keychain.

Guessing ten got two plates of free special snacks.

Guessing twenty got a small rabbit-shaped lantern.

The rabbit lantern looked really nice and could be used as a night light by your bedside.

Violeta said, "Now that we're here, might as well make the most of it and bring back some free souvenirs. Plus, we get to enjoy the game, so why not?"

Kaylee replied, "Yeah, but these riddles here seem pretty tough."

Violeta said, "Just give it a shot."

The two joined the queue.

Since there were limited riddles to guess, any incorrect answer would reset their previous correct count.

A group of ten people signed up at the booth and were taken to a small pavilion behind it to answer the riddles, so that those waiting in line wouldn't overhear the answers. Violeta and Kaylee waited in line together for about ten minutes, and soon the first group of people who didn't succeed came out in front.

"The questions are really hard. I didn't even get a keychain, let alone a rabbit lantern."

"I guess I got lucky-I got a keychain. For those of you counting on this for extra point, forget it. The boss said only the person who answers the

most questions right overall gets

extra points."

"If getting bonus points were that easy, wouldn't everyone on this trip just end up getting it?"

Their conversation dampened everyone's enthusiasm, and quite a few people decided to drop out, leaving the queue half as long. Some left voluntarily, and others took their place.

Hearing their words, Kaylee spoke up to Violeta, "See? It really is tough."

Violeta said, "The important thing is to participate."

The booth owner started letting people into the pavilion again to guess riddles.

Violeta and Kaylee joined the second

group in line and headed to the

pavilion together. Once there, everyone stepped forward to register their names and

departments.

After registering, they could sit aside and wait their turn.

At first, there were many people in line, but after the first group came out complaining, a lot of them. decided not to join, and now,

surprisingly, the line lacked one more person.

Seeing no one entering for a while, Kaylee glanced at the entrance with her head tilted.

Suddenly, a figure walked in.

Looking up and down at the figure, Kaylee was surprised and turned to Violeta and said, "Vio, look, the last person is actually Hattie."

Violeta looked up and indeed saw Hattie.

She was the last person to come in, registered, then walked over and sat down.

She also noticed Violeta and Kaylee, taken aback briefly, but didn't say anything. She sat on the stool, waiting for the boss to give out the questions.

"Hattie actually came to join the riddle guessing game. What a surprise," Violeta remarked.

Kaylee was very surprised.

Violeta was also caught off guard.

For someone as proud as Hattie, it was unexpected that she would come to guess riddles.

Was she also after those cheap souvenirs?

No, her goal must be more than just souvenirs. It must be for the points.

Sitting in the last seat, Hattie felt incredibly conflicted. She hadn't expected to come at such a bad time and now she had encountered Violeta, that annoying woman.

If she let Violeta outdo her, wouldn't that be a huge embarrassment?

But fortunately, Hattie had come prepared with a secret weapon. She was determined to be the best at solving the riddles.

Hattie subtly smirked to herself.