Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism
Chapter 88 Bitter Melon

The commotion caught the attention of both the students and the teacher.

Hattie fabricated a story, claiming that Violeta had fallen because she couldn't stand still.

Violeta had no evidence to prove that Hattie had pushed her. Even if someone had witnessed it, they wouldn't come forward to testify for Violeta, as they didn't want to offend the well-off Miss Hattie Ridge. Thus, Violeta had no choice but to suppress her anger.

This incident completely changed Violeta's perception of Hattie.

Hattie was just as cunning as Zelena.

After having such a conflict with Hattie, Violeta started hearing some gossip about her in the entertainment industry.

They said that Hattie had a terrible personality. She would use ventriloquism to insult people on stage during recordings, and she would treat the staff very poorly. Moreover, she would also act like a diva and bully newcomers.

Violeta believed all of them.

After all, Hattie was that kind of person!

Unfortunately, in her previous life, Violeta didn't know Liam.

Therefore, she had no idea how the conflict within his family unfolded.

No wonder Liam warned them at the theater last time that the twins weren't so simple.

Zelena sat in the middle row closer to the front. When Hattie introduced herself on stage, Zelena immediately recognized her.

Zelena vividly remembered that Hattie was the illegitimate daughter of the Ridges in Quinston, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that Hattie's mother was the renowned actress, Hannah Leid, from Harbor City!

If she could establish a good relationship with Hattie, she would have one more connection in the entertainment industry in the future.

Zelena wanted to befriend Hattie not only because her mother was Hannah, but also because in her previous life, Violeta was Hattie's biggest competitor when she entered the entertainment industry. Hattie relied on her mother's resources and quickly rose to fame. Soon after, she became a well-established figure in the industry.

Hattie and Violeta were fierce rivals in the entertainment industry.

Zelena would try to win over anyone who competed against Violeta.

The instructor said, "All right, replace a seat and sit down. You can come to the office later to get the study materials."

Hattie smiled gracefully. "Okay."

There were many empty seats at the large table below the stage. After Hattie scanned the room, her gaze fell upon Violeta and Kaylee sitting in the back row by the window. When she saw that there were still many seats next to them, Hattie said to Benson, "Bro, let's sit in the back row. There are plenty of empty seats." Benson nodded. "Okay."

Just then, Zelena took the initiative to greet them, "Hattie, why don't you sit here? This is the best spot."

Hattie didn't say anything and glanced at Zelena.

Then, she looked at the back row again. She noticed the clear division between the front and back rows. It was as if there was a barrier separating them. Violeta and Kaylee were the only ones in the back row, and no one was sitting close to them.

In an instant, Hattie understood that these two people in the back row were being isolated by this class.

The feeling of isolation was something Hattie knew all too well.

Since they didn't have a father since they were young, the two siblings were isolated, excluded, and mocked in class.

Hattie despised this feeling.

She didn't want to be isolated anymore.

"Bro, let's sit here."

When Zelena saw them sitting down, she smiled and said, "Let me introduce myself, I'm Zelena. I hope we can become good friends in the future."

"Sure."

Just like that, Zelena became Hattie's first friend in the class.

Zelena had a purpose in getting close to Hattie, so she would ask Hattie to hang out with her after class.

In just half a day, the two of them became inseparable.

During lunchtime, in the cafeteria.

Kaylee didn't know much about Hattie, but when she saw Hattie hanging out with Zelena, she disdainfully remarked, "Birds of a feather flock together! This Hattie person probably isn't a good person either." Violeta chuckled upon hearing Kaylee's words.

"You have a talent for judging people, Kay."

"Right, Vio? Don't you think so?"

"I'm not sure yet, so let's wait and see," Violeta casually replied.

Violeta had experienced Hattie's personality in her previous life.

However, she hadn't interacted with Benson yet.

Benson was likely Liam's biggest competitor in the family business, so his scheming and cunning were definitely on par with Hattie's.

Jasper and his gang had mentioned in the theater that if Benson dared to come, he would definitely be dealt with.

Violeta didn't know anything else.

However, it was estimated that Benson wouldn't have an easy time at school.

A few days later.

Zelena introduced Hattie to the dance club.

Due to Hannah's high expectations of Hattie and Benson since they were young, they quickly caught up with the learning progress even though they were transfer students who joined the class midway. Undoubtedly, they were outstanding. Coupled with Hattie and Benson's good looks, they had already become famous in the performing arts field in just a few days. There were even people anonymously asking on the confession wall if they were single.

Hattie and Zelena had similar ways of doing things. They both liked to bribe their classmates, and giving gifts was the quickest way to win people's hearts.

As the saying goes, "A kind word and a gift will open any door."

On this day, it was physical education class.

During the break, Violeta and Kaylee were chatting.

A gust of wind blew by, carrying with it the voices of several people talking and a faint scent of high-end sandalwood perfume.

"Hattie, the perfume you're wearing smells really good. What brand is it? I'll buy a bottle next time."

"Oh? My perfume? You can't buy it. It was a gift from my grandmother. She has a collection of antique perfumes, and this one is worth a fortune now. Lena, if you like it, I'll give you a sample later." "Okay. It smells really nice."

Gillian, who was next to them, said, "High-end perfumes are indeed different. Hattie, you came too late. If you had come earlier, you could have participated in the campus beauty pageant. If you had also participated, that person wouldn't stand a chance."

Candy added, "Yes, if you had participated, Lena probably wouldn't have been bullied!"

Hattie asked, "Huh? Who bullied Lena?"

The girls glanced at Violeta and Kaylee sitting not far away.

"Who else? She's sitting right over there..."

Zelena interrupted them, "That's enough. Although I really hoped to achieve a good ranking in the campus beauty pageant, it's just not possible this time. I don't know what's going on with the votes. Maybe it's just bad luck."

"It's not just bad luck. Clearly, someone is up to something!"

"They're just envious and malicious, so they can't stand to see you doing well. Those kinds of people will never succeed; they'll remain in the gutter for their whole lives."

Although they didn't mention any names, everyone knew they were referring to Violeta and Kaylee, who exchanged a glance.

They wouldn't argue, but they would fight back!

When the break was over, they started doing the moon salutation.

Kaylee accidentally bumped into Gillian, causing her to fall face down with a loud thud. Her front teeth hit her lip, and the pain made tears stream down her face. She stood up, covering her mouth, and cursing loudly, "Kaylee! Are you blind?"

Kaylee adjusted her stance and nonchalantly remarked, "Apologies, but my mother has always praised me for having a well-endowed derriere ever since I was a child. She claimed it's indicative of good health and longevity, unlike certain short-lived individuals with caustic tongues. It's as if they have transformed into bitter melons."

Gillian didn't know how to react.