Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism novel Chapter 312

With her speech, Zelena tried to absolve herself of any blame, shifting all the responsibility onto Violeta without any evidence.

If Janice hadn't been involved throughout the entire process, she might have been convinced by Zelena's slick excuses.

"Zelena, I can't believe that even after the sports event is over, you still don't show any remorse.

"If you're so stubborn, let me explain and put this to rest once and for all!

"Violeta got involved with the factory because I contacted her first, asking if her family's factory could offer a suitable price for the school. She didn't approach me."

Zelena retorted, "Ms. Janice, you're just biased towards Violeta. How did you even know her family had a factory? You must be deliberately favoring her!"

Janice was speechless, and the advisor and school committee member beside her looked equally serious.

The advisor questioned sternly, "Zelena, do you really not know that Violeta is the daughter of a board member?"

Zelena fell silent, then looked utterly shocked.

She stood there, stunned, as if struck by lightning, her eyes wide open.

The advisor continued, "Violeta excels academically and focuses on honing her professional skills, which is why she remains at the top of her department. She never flaunts her family background.

"All the teachers at the school know Violeta's identity, but you didn't, which led to this huge misunderstanding."

Three years ago, when Violeta reported to the school as a freshman, the advisor had seen her family background on her enrollment form.

Given that Toland University has over 20,000 regular students on campus—not including the seniors on internships and the graduate students—the total number easily exceeds 40,000.

What were the odds of the daughter of a board member being assigned to a class?

When the advisor found out about Violeta's background, he had a special conversation with her, telling her to come to him if she ever needed anything.

But Violeta had simply said she was at school to study hard.

She never asked for special treatment or privileges.

Her low profile in class had even made the advisor forget about her family background at times.

Time had flown by, and now she was already a senior.

They had expected things to remain calm until graduation, but then this issue arose.

Seeing how determined Zelena was to drag Violeta down with her, the advisor had no choice but to reveal the harsh truth.

"You say Violeta needs money? That's impossible. The collaboration between White Group's factory and the school was practically a half-sale, half-donation deal. They didn't make a profit."

Janice nodded. "Exactly, you're judging her motives by your own flawed standards."

Hearing their words, Zelena was too shocked to respond.

The reality she had been unwilling to accept was indeed true.