Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism novel Chapter 225

Violeta was the only exception over the years, and she might be the only way in.

"If you want to convince Jasper to come, you might have to invite Violeta. If she goes, there's a good chance all four of them will come," Casey suggested.

Lucy pressed her lips together.

She didn't like Violeta.

Maybe it was because Violeta's mentor, Grace, was a rival to her own teacher.

Or maybe it was because Violeta had managed to do what no other woman could: forcefully join the group of four guys and become the exception.

Ultimately, it might just be that Lucy was jealous of Violeta.

This jealousy prevented them from becoming friends, making them enemies instead.

But Lucy would never admit to being jealous of Violeta.

The idea of inviting Violeta to her birthday party was something Lucy just couldn't bring herself to do.

She thought about it some more ...

"Is there no other way?" Lucy asked.

"If you want Jasper to come, besides asking Violeta, the only other option would be Hayden," Casey replied.

Lucy fell silent.

That was out of the question.

Hayden was so aloof that she couldn't bring herself to approach him.

If she upset Hayden, it would be a big problem, and even her grandfather would have questions for her.

"Let me think about it some more," Lucy said.

"Alright," Casey agreed.

...

After a whole afternoon of work, Violeta finally found a lead.

She had traced an IP address to a bar called The Neon Bar on Southridge Avenue.

Without wasting any time, she decided to head out.

As she closed her laptop, she felt a sense of relief, as if she had just resolved a huge problem.

However, the moment she closed her laptop, she nearly spit out her coffee when she saw a man sitting across from her.

" ... Cough, cough ... "

Violeta choked, but managed to swallow her coffee.

"Hayden, when did you sit down in front of me?"

Hayden glanced at the small piece of paper in front of her, covered in several IP addresses Violeta had jotted down earlier.

She quickly snatched the paper away.

"I came to the library to borrow a dictionary. I saw you here and decided to come over. I haven't been here long," Hayden replied.

"Oh, okay."

"I noticed you were writing down an address. Are you planning to go somewhere?" Hayden inquired.

Violeta stayed silent.

So Hayden had seen it after all.

Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, Violeta replied, "I was just jotting down random stuff. Don't take it seriously."

Did Hayden have such good eyesight that he could read what was on her paper?