Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 210 The Price of Silence

Zelena's heart skipped a beat, and she struggled to maintain a calm facade as she responded, "What do you know? Hah, what's your game here? Don't try to deceive me. You think you can pull one over on me?"

Kaylee didn't back down. "I'm not bluffing. I know about you bullying a classmate at Eighth Middle School in Arlowand, causing her to lose her hearing. That doesn't match the innocent act you put on at school. Zelena's eyes widened. Her past misdeeds were her biggest secret.

Ever since she returned to the Blake family, she had been pretending to be a perfect, kind-hearted girl, never mentioning her past. She thought changing cities meant no one would ever know what she did in middle school. But now...

"I know a lot more! Your reputation is about to be trashed!"

Zelena panicked. She couldn't let anything tarnish her spotless reputation.

Upon hearing Kaylee's words, a wave of panic swept over her.

But then she quickly composed herself, smirking. "If you wanted to expose me, you would have done it already. Why wait until now?"

Kaylee was momentarily speechless.

Zelena felt relief and satisfaction, knowing she had struck a nerve.

She couldn't help but feel a twinge of smugness, reassured that it wasn't Violeta who had uncovered her secret. Unlike Violeta, who would have likely exposed her without hesitation, Kaylee seemed to have her own motives and agenda.

Realising there was room for negotiation, Zelena saw a glimmer of hope.

"Come on, what do you really want? And how did you replace out about this?"

Kaylee hesitated briefly, then said, "You can pay me to keep quiet about it. This information comes with a price tag!"

Zelena narrowed her eyes. "Ha."

Just as she suspected, it all came down to money.

She knew there was nothing money couldn't solve in this world.

"I see you've resorted to blackmailing me with money."

Kaylee pressed on, "So, what do you say? You don't have much time to decide. It's Friday today, right before the weekend's college competition. If you refuse, I have plenty of evidence that could ruin your reputation at Toland University!"

Zelena crossed her arms. "Before asking for money, shouldn't you show me what evidence you have first?"

Kaylee then showed Zelena half of the evidence Violeta had given her.

After seeing it, Zelena felt a chill down her spine. She had not expected Shirley to move to Quinston to work at a nursing home near Toland University. It was fortunate that this idiot, Kaylee, had told her about i first. Zelena couldn't shake the thought of what might have happened if Shirley had unexpectedly shown up at the school, potentially causing a scene. She realised she would have been completely caught off guard and unprepared for the repercussions.

"Are these things all from Shirley?"

"Yep, just gotta pay up, and I can delete it all."

Zelena's eyes flashed with a hint of fierceness.

This jerk!

"How much do you want?"

"15,000."

Zelena paused, taken aback.

Another 15,000?

Zelena was slightly stunned. She had already spent roughly the same amount as Six to investigate this matter. Now, Kaylee was asking for the same sum. What a coincidence.

"Give me 15,000, and I'll delete everything," Kaylee said.

"Why should I trust you?" Zelena countered.

"The evidence is all on my phone. After you pay me, I'll hand it over to you," Kaylee replied matter-of-factly.

As Zelena pondered, the bell for class rang.

Violeta, who had been hiding upstairs, also came down the stairs.

Seeing Violeta, Zelena lowered her voice and said to Kaylee, "Don't tell Violeta about this. I'll talk to you after class."

With that, Zelena turned and walked into the classroom.

Violeta approached Kaylee, who gave her a discreet thumbs-up gesture. Together, they walked into the classroom for the lesson.

After class.

After thinking it over, Zelena agreed to Kaylee's request. She handed over 15,000, and after Kaylee transferred the critical data from her phone, she gave it to Zelena.

Zelena thought that getting Kaylee's phone would solve everything. Still, she didn't expect it to be a trap set by Violeta and Kaylee for her!

Violeta got 12,000 dollars in hand, all of which she got.

Kaylee received 15,000 dollars, and Violeta let her keep 3,000 dollars to help lighten the financial burden of the miscellaneous expenses for the past few years at Toland University.

The remaining 24,000 dollars were all given to Shirley to treat her ears.

Violeta also instructed her to leave Quinston overnight because, since Zelena had taken the money, she would definitely go to the nursing home for Shirley afterwards.

To Shirley, 24,000 dollars is a considerable sum. She was shocked when she saw the money. She would probably need to replace out how many years it would take to earn this amount if she had to rely on herself

In fact, treating sensorineural deafness doesn't cost much money. However, Shirley's family was financially struggling, so she couldn't afford it.

With a total of 24,000 dollars, she can treat her ears and attend a good university!

"You guys..." She was moved to tears. You've been so incredibly kind to me. I don't know how to thank you."