Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 292 Bad News

Grace paced anxiously outside the operating room.

"Ms. Parker."

Grace turned to see Violeta approaching. She said, "Hey, Vio."

Her gaze then shifted to Irene, and she politely greeted her. "Ms. Irene."

"As a nationally renowned opera performer, Irene was naturally well-known to Grace. To show her respect, Grace respectfully addressed her as Ms. Irene instead of Mrs. White."

Irene nodded kindly to Grace in acknowledgment.

Violeta asked, "What happened? How did the accident occur?"

Grace sighed and said, "I don't know the details, so I called you. The hospital contacted me because they couldn't reach their parents.

"On my way here, I called their parents multiple times. Their secretary answered and said both are on a business trip in Jobus and won't be back until tonight.

"Vio, where have you been all afternoon?"

Violeta explained, "We went cycling by the river, then had dinner at a street food stall before heading home. I took a cab, and they must have done the same. Did the accident happen on their way back?" Grace was deeply worried, but there was nothing he could do.

Violeta glanced at the tightly shut doors of the operating room. She struggled to believe that just an hour ago, they had been laughing together at the street food stall.

She asked, "Ms. Parker, did the doctor say anything when you arrived?"

Grace replied, "The doctor said one of them is in critical condition. The car crashed directly into the left guardrail. Nydia was sitting in the back, on the left side. She suffered a severe leg injury, including an open fracture. Hazel sat on the right. She's in better shape but still has multiple fractures and is being treated for glass shards."

Irene was distressed to hear this. She said, "Oh dear, I hope they'll be alright."

Violeta was in deep sorrow.

Just earlier, while enjoying cajun crawfish boil at the street stall, they had been joking about winning the Lotus Award, with Violeta cheering them on as future stars of the dance world. And now, this horrific accident has occurred.

And it happened right before the Lotus Award's registration opened.

Is this fate?

Or something else...

Violeta asked, "Ms. Parker, did you call the police?"

Grace explained, "Yes, the bystanders called immediately after the accident. We're waiting for the investigation results now."

Grace's heart ached more than anyone else's.

She felt sorry for the two, as she had trained them since they were young. She was devastated at the thought that they would miss the Lotus Award.

Grace had missed her own chance back then.

Was history repeating itself with her students?

...

Grace kept vigil outside the operating room.

Violeta and Irene visited Hazel, who had just recovered from surgery.

Hazel lay unconscious on the bed. She looked fragile and weak.

The shattered car window had injured her scalp, and the treatment involved shaving off part of hershort

hair Violeta stood beside the Fed

staring at her in distress.

"Hazel, you must get better. There are bigger stages waiting for you."

Violeta asked the doctor, "When might she wake up?"

The doctor replied, "It depends on when her consciousness returns. It could be tonight, but I can't be sure."

Nydia and Hazel's parents were unable to make it to the hospital at once.

Violeta decided to stay and support Grace.

Noticing her daughter's determination, Irene also chose to stay and was keenly interested in the investigation.

Around 8 PM, Nydia was wheeled out of the operating room.

White bandages covered almost her entire body. Her leg had a severe open fracture at the knee.

The doctor, knowing she was a

dancer, regrettably said, "We've done our best. If the nerve is damaged, dancing might not be possible, and walking could be difficult."

Everyone fell silent at the remark.

Violeta found it difficult to accept the news, and the same goes for Grace.

This incident caught them off guard. Grace felt a shiver run down her spine. She staggered and was unable to stand still. "Ms. Parker."

Grace remained strong, and she said, "I'm fine. I'll be alright."

The sisters were placed in a single room. Grace covered all the expenses.

Irene also contributed. She had connections with the hospital's director and upgraded them to a suite.

Grace said, "Violeta, you should go home. I'll stay here. Their parents will arrive tomorrow morning. I'll wait for them here."

Violeta looked at the girls lying in the

hospital bed and realised she

couldn't do much more. Irene had an early bedtime, and Violeta needed to take her mother home.

"Alright, Ms. Parker. I'll come back tomorrow."

"Yes, you should go," Grace said, then turned to Irene. "I apologise for taking up your time today, Ms. Irene."

Irene smiled gently and said, "It's no trouble at all. My husband knows their parents well, and as Violeta's mentor, I'm here to help in any way I can." Grace nodded and said, "Thank you. Please go home and get some rest."