Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 83 Doing A Lot Of Ungrateful Things

Zelena found herself the target of thousands of accusing eyes.

For a moment, panic flashed across her face as she looked up and met Violeta's gaze on the stage.

Violeta, looking down from the stage, stared back at her with cold and indifferent eyes.

Lucy realized the gravity of the situation. The host on stage handed her an earring, which she took in her hand. She turned to Zelena and asked seriously, "Zelena, do you have an explanation for this?" Zelena clenched her teeth and tried to explain, "This earring..."

All eyes in the audience were fixed on her, waiting for Zelena to reveal the truth.

The entire audience's gaze was focused on her.

Zelena lowered her head. Her bangs covered her expression, and only the shadows could be seen under the lights. "This earring indeed belongs to me."

"Whoaa!"

After Zelena's confession, a buzz of discussion erupted in the audience.

"It's someone from the dance club. I have to say, this kind of behavior is truly despicable! How could they stoop so low? It's just an intra-school program, and they can't even tolerate their opponents on the same stage. Who knows what they'll do after graduation when they enter society?"

"They've gone too far. They'll do anything for first place."

"Zelena doesn't seem like that kind of person. I didn't expect her to do something like this."

"Haven't you heard the saying 'a woman's heart is as deep as the ocean"?"

Lucy's eyes flashed with surprise. She asked, "Zelena, why would you do such a thing?"

Zelena clenched her fists but remained silent.

The Minister of External Affairs Department on stage held the microphone and announced, "The Moon Festival is organized by our External Affairs Department. Now that the real culprit has been identified, the tennis club must be given an explanation for this incident. Zelena's unauthorized destruction of the tennis club's props is a serious offense. The school will impose severe punishment."

The audiences in the back row, who were from the sports school, reveled in the spectacle.

Someone took the lead and asked, "What kind of punishment? They won't announce it on stage and then sweep it under the rug, right?"

"Yeah, that's right! If there's going to be punishment, they should announce it directly on stage. Let all of us hear it!" "Announce the punishment!"

The commotion from the audience made it difficult for the Minister of External Affairs Department to leave the stage.

Actually, this matter could have been resolved privately through negotiation, but now it had to be dealt with publicly to appease the crowd.

After hesitating for a few seconds, the Minister of External Affairs Department had no choice but to announce, "The situation is severe. The preliminary punishment is a public reprimand, but a thorough investigation will be conducted. If the allegations are true and the offense is serious, the student will be put on probation."

Probation?

That was a major punishment. It could even lead to suspension from school.

Moreover, Zelena was only a freshman. She was already facing this punishment. If she makes any more mistakes in the future, she might be advised to drop out or have her classes suspended. This punishment was truly harsh!

The members of the dance club exchanged glances, their tongues wagging in astonishment.

Lucy pursed her lips and also felt that this punishment was too severe.

Casey stood beside Lucy. Her eyes darkened as she watched Zelena's figure. She muttered softly, "Say something..."

But Zelena remained silent.

Violeta noticed that Zelena kept her head down, as if confessing to a crime.

This was not the Zelena that she remembered. Could she just quietly accept defeat?

Something was off!

Zelena definitely still has a backup plan!

After handing the microphone to the host, the Minister of External Affairs Department prepared to step down.

The drama had ended, and the audience was ready to leave their seats.

However, at that moment, Casey suddenly rushed up to the stage and grabbed the microphone, loudly exclaiming, "It's not like this!"

"What did she say?"

Everyone was shocked.

The Minister of the External Affairs Department frowned sternly and asked, "What are you doing?"

Casey glanced at Zelena in the audience and unexpectedly admitted her own mistake.

"It wasn't Lena who did it. It was me!"

"Wow!"

Not only were the people on stage stunned, but the audience was also taken aback.

What was happening?

There was even a surprising twist.

Zelena, who had been keeping her head down, suddenly raised her face. Her eyes were red as she looked at Casey on the stage and said loudly, "Casey, what are you doing? Come down!" Casey frowned, appearing reluctant as she said, "Lena, don't take the blame for me. It was me who did it."

"Lena gave me that earring a long time ago. That night, I went backstage and used water to damage the tennis club's props. You all misunderstood Lena."

"Lena is a good person. She protected me and took the blame for me, but I am not afraid to take responsibility! I did this myself, Lena knows nothing about it! If there's punishment, punish me instead!" Violeta narrowed her eyes and let out a subtle laugh.

What a remarkable display of sisterly love.

Indeed, this is how it should be. This is what Zelena is capable of!

In an instant, Violeta understood everything.

Zelena is most skilled at manipulating and playing the victim.

Of course, she does a lot of ungrateful things.

There's no way Zelena would risk herself by personally destroying the props.

If Violeta's guess is correct, she must have instigated Casey to do it.

It would be best if they don't get caught.

But now that they have been caught, Zelena knows very well that Casey is a straightforward and genuine person. She remains silent and takes the blame for Casey.

It seems like Zelena is taking the blame for Casey. But in reality, she knows Casey will step forward to clarify the situation.

Casey's character is destined for her to stand up and clarify things.

If Casey were a calculating and cunning person, she wouldn't have been foolish enough to block Violeta's path in the hallway last time.

Words like "good person" and "kind" are much more effective when spoken by others than when she acts them out every day.

With so many people in the audience, once today's incident spreads, the whole school will know that Zelena is a great person who is willing to take the blame for her friend, even at the cost of severe punishment.

After this, whoever sees Zelena, wouldn't they all praise her as a truly good and beautiful girl?

Violeta couldn't help but applaud and cheer.

Zelena called out loudly from the stage, "Casey, stop being silly! Come down quickly. I did this."

Casey shook her head and addressed everyone with the microphone, "I did it. It was all me. Lena wouldn't do something like this. She wants to reconcile with Violeta and always calls her 'sis'. She couldn't have done this. I dislike Violeta, so I wanted to ruin her show. It was all me. If there's punishment, punish me."

"But..." Casey looked towards Violeta not far away and continued, "Violeta, you're such a malicious person, yet you have a kind-hearted sister like Lena. You don't appreciate her. You will regret it one day!" This typical act of being betrayed and still helping made Violeta laugh.

She couldn't hold it in and burst into laughter on stage.