Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 555 Sparklers

Jasper pressed his fingers against his forehead in frustration. "I don't want you meddling in my life. If you keep this up, I might just head back to Wiltonshire! And if she's truly a high-society lady, why don't you ask her if she's willing to be my mistress?" Cynthia was taken aback. "What on earth are you talking about? Jasper, you've really grown bold, haven't you?"

Jasper responded, "I'm seeing someone now. I'm hanging up."

He ended the call abruptly, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.

Cynthia did not call back. She was wary of pushing her only son too hard.

If Jasper decided to run away abroad again, bringing him back would be even more challenging.

And now, he actually had a girlfriend?

She needed to investigate further before introducing the Sanders' daughter to him; otherwise, it would be a complete embarrassment.

As night fell, Violeta returned to her hotel to rest.

In Jasonville, fireworks and firecrackers were banned, leaving the streets unusually quiet, with only the lanterns strung from streetlights providing some illumination.

The festive atmosphere was further subdued when she was away from home.

Violeta shut the curtains, took a shower, and settled onto the bed. After doing a few glute bridges, her phone rang.

It was Hayden.

"Hello."

Violeta sat up cross-legged, pausing as she answered. "Oh, the rooftop? Now? Okay, I'll be right up."

She quickly changed into more appropriate clothes and took the elevator to the hotel's rooftop.

When she pushed open the door, she saw Hayden standing against the wind, his coat billowing. He greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes clear and kind, and opened his arms for a hug. Violeta hurried over and embraced him.

"So, you've figured things out this time?" she asked, knowing that waiting downstairs might have attracted paparazzi.

Hayden had chosen the rooftop for their meeting, a much less likely spot for anyone to notice them.

Hayden released her from the hug. "Since you're not going home for the New Year, I came to replace you."

Violeta chuckled. "You just show up without any notice. Are you secretly a detective?"

Hayden grinned. "Do you have work tomorrow?"

Violeta shook her head. "Yes. I already rested today. I don't get much downtime. Let's go inside; it's freezing out here."

Hayden took her delicate wrist and gently pulled her back. "No need to rush."

"What's going on?" Violeta asked, puzzled as Hayden slowly pulled a box of sparklers from his coat pocket.

Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Wow, where did you get these?"

Hayden smiled. "We'll light them on our way back and make some New Year's wishes."

Violeta beamed. "That sounds great!

"If this wind makes me catch a cold, you'll have to take responsibility," she teased.

Hayden handed her a lighter, saying with affection, "Alright, I'll take responsibility. How would you like me to?"

Violeta took the lighter and selected a sparkler from the box.

"Offer yourself to me? But you're already mine.

"Well then, how about you give me all your assets? Isn't there a saying that where a man's money is, his heartis?" she joked, not taking it too seriously.

As she lit the sparkler, its crackling light illuminated her face.

A

She looked happily at the sparkler in her hand and then quickly placed it between Hayden's fingers. With their hands together, she closed her eyes and made a silent wish.

Hayden said, "If you delay any longer, it'll burn out."

Violeta fluttered her lashes. "Almost done, almost done."

She had originally closed her eyes to make a wish but suddenly opened them and declared loudly, "I wish for happiness and success in everything!"

As the sparkler fizzled out, Hayden sighed. "Haven't you heard that if you say your wish out loud, it won't come true?"

Violeta blinked and smiled. "Of course I know. But I don't think the heavens won't grant my wish, so saying it out loud won't make a difference." Hayden raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Violeta picked out another sparkler

from the box. "There are so many people making wishes every day. How could the heavens keep track of all of them? I bet the heavens can't hear my wish, but you can.

"Make my wish come true, Hayden. I'm wishing to you."

Hayden paused for a moment.

The second sparkler was lit.

Violeta took out her phone, linked her arm with Hayden's, and leaned in close to his face to take a selfie.