Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism novel Chapter 87

After ending the call, Violeta retrieved her phone. She had only used Hayden as an excuse to end the conversation with her brother.

"Thank you. My brother wouldn't have felt at ease without your help," she expressed her gratitude.

Hayden wiped the beer stains off the back of his hand with two tissues and calmly responded, "So you see me as a tool?"

Violeta's gaze momentarily froze. "Huh? No, not at all."

It was then that she realized she had accidentally spilled beer from Hayden's glass.

"Should I pour you another glass?" Violeta picked up the bottle from the table, preparing to pour him more.

Hayden stopped her in time. "Why should I drink so much? This is alcohol, not a tonic."

"Fine."

Reluctantly, Violeta put down the bottle.

Hayden discarded the tissues and glanced at her, asking, "What brand of shampoo do you use? It smells nice."

"You mean the jasmine scent? That's not shampoo, it's essential oil. Do you like it? I can send you the link when I go back."

At that moment, Zoren, with flushed cheeks from drinking, approached them. "What essential oil? Are you guys going for a massage later?"

Violeta covered her nose. "Ew, you stink!"

Zoren leaned closer and sniffed himself. "I don't! How can you say that, Vio? Come, smell me. Say I don't stink!"

He leaned forward to let Violeta smell his arm, but before he could get close to her, Hayden firmly grabbed his hand.

The pain made Zoren's eyes much clearer!

"Ouch! Hade, you really went all out, huh? Are we still buddies?"

Zoren pulled back his arm and shook it, wincing in pain.

Hayden asked, "Are you sober now?"

Jasper and Liam walked over to them. "He's asking for trouble, no wonder he's called a contemptible wretch."

Liam added, "That's right. Of course, Hade won't go easy on him."

Zoren turned his head and glared at them, "What are you guys bickering about?"

Jasper and Liam stuck out their tongues at Zoren.

When the two of them started acting silly, Zoren walked over, elbowing them and kicking their butts.

The three of them were fooling around.

Hayden shook his head helplessly, sat down, and leaned against the back of the chair.

Violeta finally understood.

No wonder her brother only trusted Hayden.

Among the four of them, Hayden was the most reliable, while these three were completely out of control!

Especially Zoren, he could not be relied upon at all!

Even so, with Hayden's cold personality, it would be a good balance to have these three friends with their personalities.

If all four of them had the same personality as Hayden, it would be dull.

Violeta's gaze fell on Hayden. He leisurely leaned against the back of the chair, the light above his head adding a warm touch to his aloof demeanor. He had a picturesque appearance, and right now, he looked noble and ethereal.

Sensing Violeta's gaze, Hayden raised his eyes and met her gaze.

Violeta smiled at him.

Hayden's eyelids twitched slightly. He felt as if something had struck his heart.

After being dropped off by Hayden, it was already dawn.

As soon as Violeta got out of the car, Tuna pounced on her. She caught it and used its paws to bid farewell to Hayden.

"Goodbye."

Hayden's expression softened. "Goodnight."

After watching Violeta walk inside, he rolled up the window and instructed the driver to drive away.

-

The second round of the campus beauty pageant had ended, and Violeta emerged as the winner.

All of the top ten contestants advanced.

After the vote count was reset to zero, Zelena, who was originally in seventh place, slipped down to the ninth spot.

Luckily, she still managed to advance to the third round.

However, without the option to manipulate the votes, it was wishful thinking for Zelena to surpass Violeta through organic votes alone.

The vote count for the third round would be based on the previous two rounds, so Violeta had already been designated as the campus belle of the new term at Toland University.