Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 263 Because I Didn't Want To

New Year celebrations should have this kind of atmosphere. Inside, several gambling tables were already set up, ready for poker after lunch. Old friends rarely get to gather for New Year.

Everyone's schedules are usually packed, and while they might see each other occasionally, such festive gatherings are very rare.

Among Violeta's generation, Niall and Elaine were the oldest.

Violeta was the youngest.

During lunch, everyone was well-mannered. When the elders chatted, the younger ones rarely interrupted.

Coincidentally, Violeta wasn't very talkative, so she was more interested in the food than the conversation.

The local cuisine of Quinston was served.

Violeta eyed the sugar-coated fruit and smoked duck several times but hesitated to take any.

Irene wrapped a cornbread for Violeta and handed it to her. The cornbread was stuffed with fillings, and one bite was incredibly delicious. Still, Violeta wanted the smoked duck.

There wasn't much smoked duck, and since this wasn't her home, she felt it impolite to reach for it.

While sipping her water, Violeta overheard the conversation shift to Hayden and his peers' prospects.

Hayden's name came up, of course.

Violeta listened intently. Just then, a piece of smoked duck appeared on her plate.

She was startled.

She traced the direction of the fork and saw a clean hand, then a black knitted sweater sleeve.

Hayden, casually answering the conversation, retracted his fork.

Glen glanced at Violeta's plate, while Frida, who was sitting gracefully beside him, smiled and said, "Do you want some smoked duck?"

"Here, bring the smoked duck over."

The servant immediately brought the smoked duck to Violeta.

Violeta smiled awkwardly. "Thank you, Frida."

"You're welcome. Make yourself at home."

Violeta had been eyeing the smoked duck for a while. She wondered when Hayden had noticed, thinking she must have been quite obvious.

The Frost family's chef was excellent. Every dish on the table was authentic.

Quinston's smoked duck was famous nationwide, and it took a skilled chef to prepare it this well.

Violeta didn't hesitate and started eating.

Frida watched Violeta enjoy the smoked duck and turned to Irene with a smile. "Irene, how old is this child now?"

Irene replied, "Sophomore year, she's turning 20 this year."

Frida's eyes crinkled with a smile. "She's two years younger than Hayden. She looks just like you when you were young."

After lunch, members of the Spencer and Trivia families arrived, and several poker tables were set up in the living room. Nolan was a star!

With his show a hit, it was rare for him to have time to celebrate the New Year. But after this, he would be busy again, likely not returning to school for his senior year.

Jasper and the others teased Nolan about being a big star, saying he would be very famous.

Lucy, after greeting Glen with her parents, sat aside playing on her phone.

Though their relationships weren't particularly close, they had grown up in the same circles and couldn't become enemies.

During the Moon Festival, Lucy had

guessed that Violeta might be the long-lost daughter of the White family upon seeing her in a dancing dress. She had been reluctant to believe it then.

Seeing Violeta at the Frost family's house today, Lucy had to accept it.

There had been rumors in their club that Violeta might be the White family's illegitimate child, Zoren's sister, which Lucy had heard before.

Now, she wondered where those rumors started-they were truly absurd!

Pretending to play on her phone, Lucy's eyes frequently darted toward Jasper's direction.

It was ironic!

Despite being childhood friends with them, Violeta seemed closer to them than she was. Lucy felt a pang of jealousy.

She didn't know how to play poker, so the afternoon poker games didn't concern her.

Violeta knew how to play and was winning big. Maybe it was luck, but she hadn't played poker in a long

time and won quite a bit in this first

game.

It was a good start to the New Year!

Jasper took a break to smoke outside, and Lucy seized the chance to follow and talk to him.

"Jasper."

Jasper turned slightly to look at her, his expression indifferent. "What is it?"

Lucy approached him. "Did you know Violeta is Niall's biological sister?"

Jasper took a drag of his cigarette, his dark eyes looking ahead. "Yes, Violeta was brought here by Zoren. What did you think?"

Lucy clenched her fist under her sleeve. "Why didn't you come to my birthday party before?"

Jasper smirked slightly, "Because I didn't want to."