Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 53 Toland University Computer Science Genius, George

Upon hearing Violeta's words, Zelena glanced at George with contempt and discreetly rolled her eyes.

Coincidentally, two people left the shop at that moment, freeing up two seats.

Violeta gestured for George to sit, saying, "Please replace a seat and wait for me. We'll talk after I finish my work."

George nodded and walked over to the round table, taking a seat.

However, Zelena was not pleased. "Sis, I'm the one who paid. Why don't you let me sit there?"

Violeta glanced at her and replied, "There's still one seat left. Can't you walk there yourself? Do you need someone to carry you?"

Zelena narrowed her eyes and said, "I don't want to sit with other people! I'm a germaphobe."

That was just an excuse.

If George were replaced with Nolan, Zelena would have eagerly rushed over long ago.

She simply disliked George.

Zelena's implicit meaning was that she hoped George would vacate the seat for her to sit alone.

But that would not happen.

Violeta scanned Zelena up and down and spoke in a cold tone. "You're a germaphobe? Then you shouldn't have come out. Yet you're out here polluting the air for everyone. No one has complained about you yet. What makes you think you have the right to complain?"

"Why you ...

Fiona chimed in, "Who do you think you are? Just because you paid doesn't mean you can be picky and act all high and mighty in the store. There are many other customers here, and we're not here to serve just you. If you're a germaphobe, then pay and go home quickly!"

Zelena was speechless.

Kaylee chuckled on the side.

Fiona is so fierce!

Sitting at the table, George heard their conversation.

A warm feeling filled his heart.

George had never seen a stranger speak up for him, and they had only met for the first time.

Although he didn't affect others, being disliked was not uncommon for George. He didn't care about others' opinions of his appearance, but he didn't expect someone to speak up for him today, and it made him feel different.

He glanced at Zelena and the others standing next to the bar, then looked at Violeta ordering at the bar.

At this moment, Zelena couldn't even imagine that she had already offended Red Hat, who would become one of her future allies. She would regret it in the future!

Zelena felt that if she stayed here any longer, she would not be able to resist breaking character.

Moreover, with more and more people coming to order coffee, she didn't want to continue being a scapegoat, so she paid early and left quickly.

After finishing most of her work, she finally had some time to rest.

Violeta approached George's table with two slices of cake. "Would you like to have some?"

George glanced at the delicate cakes in front of him and politely declined, "Thank you, but it's alright."

Upon hearing that he didn't want any, Violeta picked up her fork and started eating on her own.

Without hesitation, she asked, "Are you Red Hat?"

"Yes," George looked at Violeta and asked, "Are you Six?"

"Yes."

George had never thought that Six would be a woman; he had assumed it was a man.

After all, the renowned hackers on the leaderboard were mostly men, with very few women, if any.

Violeta raised her eyes and said, "You're not quite what I imagined."

In her previous life, Violeta had never met Red Hat in person.

Because Red Hat was secretly helping Zelena control online comments and had never revealed himself.

Violeta had initially assumed that the renowned sock puppet leader, Red Hat, was a middle-aged man conforming to the stereotype of a programmer, with a big belly and possibly wearing glasses. However, the person in front of her, George, was a slim and well-groomed individual, except for his slightly long hair that gave him a messy appearance.

George hadn't interacted much with the opposite sex, and his visit today was also rushed.

Upon hearing Violeta's words, he felt a bit awkward and shyly asked, "Why?"

Violeta suddenly smiled and raised her lips, saying, "Oh, nothing. What's your name? Are you also a student at Toland University? Which department are you in?"

"I'm George, from the computer science department."

The computer science department?

Violeta was slightly taken aback.

But upon reflection, it made sense. He was a hacker, so being in the computer science department was quite fitting.

Hayden and the others were also from the computer science department; she wondered if they knew each other. "What's your name?"

"Violeta."

George silently repeated her name in his mind.

"Pleased to meet you. And you recognized the beans just now. I assume you're a frequent coffee drinker? You can come here anytime you're free, and I'll treat you to a complimentary drink." George looked at the smiling Violeta in front of him. His expression froze for a moment, and then he said, "No need for a free drink. I can pay for it."

He didn't actually lack money; he was just obsessed with computers, so he didn't like to clean up after himself.

Besides computer programs, George wasn't interested in anything else.

If it weren't for Violeta's superior skills, George wouldn't have come out to meet her, but he didn't expect that Six was a woman, which greatly exceeded George's expectations. "Well, I wouldn't turn down a paying customer."

Suddenly, Violeta looked at George's hair and reached out, causing George to shrink back.

"Don't move."

He immediately froze.

Violeta plucked a white dandelion seed from his forehead, a small seed that George didn't know how she had discovered. She held it in her hand and blew on it, causing it to float away. George was stunned.

Violeta met his gaze and brushed his hair to the side, revealing a thin and handsome face.

George had good looks, just a bit thin. He was tall and slender, dressed loosely, like a bamboo pole. If he dressed up nicely, he would definitely be popular.

Looking at him, Violeta smiled and said, "Doesn't this look nice? Why keep your hair so long? Just get a haircut."

George said nothing.

George's eyelashes trembled slightly. He lowered his eyes, and his heart started beating rapidly.

Violeta withdrew her hand and continued eating cake.

After a while, Hayden and the others returned. As soon as they entered the shop, Hayden noticed Violeta sitting with a man.

The four of them approached and recognized George.

Upon hearing their voices, Violeta turned her head and said, "Oh, you're back? I just finished my work."

Several people pulled up chairs and sat down, stretching their legs.

"George?"

Jasper called out.

George looked at them with a distant gaze, stood up from the chair, and said to Violeta, "I'm leaving now. I'll come replace you next time."

With that, George walked around the table and exited through the front door.

"Why did he leave as soon as he saw you?" Violeta shifted her gaze back and asked Hayden and the others, "Do you have a problem with him?"

Zoren replied, "No. Everyone in our department knows George. He's a computer genius."

Liam added, "George is an eccentric guy, but he's renowned for his genius. He never attends classes or has any friends, but he has won numerous technology awards for the college." Jasper asked, "Vio, how did you meet him?"

Violeta replied, "We met online."

Zoren chimed in, "He's really exceptional in his field. Hade even approached him before to collaborate on an artificial intelligence program, but he declined."