Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12 Have I Not Been Patient Enough? 

Chapter 12 Have I Not Been Patient Enough? 

“A thief?!” 

“What’s happening?” 

“Has someone stolen something? How brazen! How dare they steal with so many people around?” 

“Anybody who dares to steal something here must be a habitual offender or a new student. They must be punished severely.” 

“This student is well–dressed and doesn’t look like a thief. Could it be a misunderstanding?” 

“Oh, please. A misunderstanding? Looks are deceiving. Don’t be fooled by her beauty. That’s how thieves operate these days. Don’t think she can’t be a thief just because she’s pretty!” 

The crowd was engaged in a heated discussion. Some didn’t believe that Violeta was the thief, but most did. After all, rumors spread like wildfire. 

Zelena seemed willing to publicly confront Violeta to get the photo. She had dropped all pretense and no longer spoke to Violeta affectionately. 

“Are you sure this photo is yours?” 

“Yes. It’s not a photo of me. It’s a photo of a girl with a round face and bangs, and it’s important to me. Give it back to me!” 

Heh. Zelena can even accurately describe the little girl’s appearance in the photo. This confirmed that Zelena had intentionally stolen this photo from Violeta in her previous life. The picture was indeed Zelena’s stepping stone to success. 

The onlookers didn’t know the importance of this photo, but they chose to believe Zelena when they saw her on the verge of tears. 

“It’s just a photo. She’s about to cry. Just give it back to her.” 

“Why is this girl like this? Is she really so broke that she needs to steal a photo? She’s really desperate.” 

Violeta ignored the chattering crowd and told Zelena, “What if this photo doesn’t belong to you? What will you do? You accused me of stealing. I can sue you for defamation!” 

Zelena panicked. “That’s impossible! This photo belongs to me!” 

Violeta smirked and enunciated each word before the crowd. “If this photo doesn’t belong to you, I want you to publicly apologize and admit you falsely accused me.” 

Zelena was dumbfounded. She cared a lot about her reputation, and publicly apologizing to Violeta was basically a death sentence! But at that moment, Zelena was willing to take the risk to obtain the photo. “Fine! I’ll do it if the photo doesn’t belong to me! But this photo is mine.” 

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Cacter 12 Have Not Been Patent Enought 

Violeta smiled and opened her palm before she showed everyone the photo. As it turned out, it wasn’t a photo of a little girl with bangs and a round face. Instead, it was a picture of Violetal “Everyone, take a good look at this photo! Who is in it?” 

Someone leaned closer to take a look. “Isn’t this a photo of you? It’s not a photo of a little girl like the other girl claimed!” 

“Yeah, it’s a photo of you! The girl looks identical to you.” 

“Sorry to ask, but is it considered stealing if I have a photo of myself?” Violeta asked as she looked around. 

The people who had previously doubted her were now silent. 

On the other hand, Zelena was in disbelief. “That’s impossible! I saw you holding the photo earlier. Where did you put it? Give it back!” Zelena reached out to grab Violeta’s clothes, trying to find the photo. 

Violeta couldn’t take it anymore and pushed her away. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you! grabbing my clothes for no reason?” 

At that moment, the crowd disapproved of Zelena’s impulsive actions. All the young, spirited individuals present had a strong sense of justice, and no one liked to be searched without 

reason. 

“This is too much. I don’t understand why she would steal a photo, especially when it’s confirmed that it’s a photo of her is the other girl mentally ill and suffering from delusions?” 

“Yeah, I don’t think she’s in a stable mental state of mind. She has no reason to act like this even if she seems more vulnerable.” 

As public opinion turned against Zelena, her expression changed subtly, and she pouted, feeling wronged. “It’s not like that. It’s a photo of a leukemia patient I sponsored, and it’s important to me. She sent it to me as a keepsake, and I don’t want to let her down, so I must find it.” 

Upon hearing Zelena’s preposterous excuse, Violeta was dumbfounded and couldn’t help but feel thunderstruck. Zelena can really lie without batting an eye. A leukemia patient she sponsored? I wonder what Mr. Lowe would think if he heard Zelena saying such things about his precious daughter 

After hearing Zelena’s explanation, everyone started speaking up for her again. 

“I see. I didn’t expect you to be such a kind person. In that case, we must find this photo.” 

“If it were me, I would want to find it too 

“That’s true. Such a photo has great sentimental value. Also, the little girl in the photo has leukemia. That’s so tragic.” 

Zelena pointed at Violeta and started to emotionally blackmail her. “If you say you don’t have it, let me search you!” 

23 

Violeta looked at Zelena coldly. She might not have been able to defend herself against Zelena’s tantrum if she hadn’t been prepared. If you want to search me, go ahead nut what if you don’t find anything? 

“I’ll apologize to you!” 

“No, you should have apologized to me earlier. Suppose you don’t find anything after searching my body. In that case, I want you to log into the school forum and publicly post an apology to me.