Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Anton said, "I know about this batch of equipment. Violeta who discussed it with me. Is there a problem?"

counselor said, "There's no problem with the equipment. But, they believe that Zelena was embezzling funds and that Violeta was framing her. As a result, they caused a commotion in the office. We had to call both of you in to sort this out."

Irene stood beside Violeta and said to Josh and Sharon, "I know you've raised Vio for eighteen years. We've wanted to meet you for a while, but there hasn't been a good chance until now. If you have anything you want to say, go ahead and let me know."

How could they even say that?

The person in front of them was the client who had been signing major contracts with the Blake Group over the past few years.

Zelena looked up at her mother and said, "Mom... "

Sharon hesitated for a moment, and then, biting her lip, turned to Irene and said, "Mrs. White, I've heard a lot about you but never met you in person. Now that we're finally meeting today, let's say what needs to be said.

"We raised Violeta for eighteen years. We gave her everything we could and did our best, but now we find out she's not our biological daughter.

"It's one thing if she isn't our biological daughter, but now that our real daughter has returned, she's been making things difficult for Lena at school. She can't tolerate her. In just a few short years, she's become a completely different person from the kind-hearted child we once knew.

"And she hasn't even come to visit us in years. Forget about holiday gifts-she hasn't even stopped by to see us. Lena has been very patient and never told us about what was happening at school. We had no idea she was going through so much!"

Going through so much?

If what Zelena faced at school was considered going through a lot, and then there's probably no real hardship left in the world.

Sharon chose her words carefully, knowing she couldn't afford to upset the Whites.

Irene listened quietly until Sharon was done talking, and then she spoke up.

"We appreciate that you took care of Vio for eighteen years. That's why we've tried to help out wherever we could over the years."

What?

Josh frowned.

So that's what the cooperation over the years was about.

Irene added, "I used to wonder why she never went back to visit you. It used to puzzle me, but now it all makes sense."

Sharon had talked a lot earlier, mentioning how they had raised Violeta for eighteen years and gave her the best they could.

But the way she was talking and her whole attitude were really just blaming Violeta.

Irene couldn't see any of a mother's love in her words.

Maybe that was why Violeta didn't want to go back to Arlowand to visit them.

Irene never thought Violeta was cold-hearted. In fact, she was one of the most caring and kind-hearted people you could meet.

What could make her so cold toward the Blakes?

There must be an unforgivable reason behind it.

"As for the factory issue, I trust that the school wouldn't falsely accuse Zelena without reason. In my opinion, there's no need for a reinvestigation.

"As a mother, I understand that you're upset for your daughter. I'm a mother as well, so how could I just stand by and watch my child being wronged?" Sharon frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Irene replied, "I've already made it

clear. We're not here to argue with you, we're here to support my daughter. If Zelena has made mistakes and the school decides to expel her, and then so be it. They can handle it however they see fit."

"Well, Zelena has already 'going through so much' at school, she probably wouldn't want to stay there anyway. If that's the case, it's better

for her to leave."

The underlying message was clear. Even if Zelena didn't leave on her own, the school wouldn't dare to keep her.

Zelena sat there, looking a bit shocked.

Violeta glanced at Irene and Anton. They had just arrived and didn't have the full picture yet, but they still chose to back her up.

She felt a warm, comforting feeling inside.

Josh's face twitched a bit, and he

gave a forced smile, saying, "Mr. White, Mrs. Bai, are you saying that you're bullying us just because we're from out of town?"

Anton replied, "Bullying you? That's not the kind of bullying I do.

"Josh, if it weren't for Vio, do you really think I'd be doing business with your company these past few years?

"You're saying Vio bullied Zelena? That's a joke. They're not even in the same league. Why would my daughter need to bully her?"

They had heard about the commotion on the school forum before.

Irene had once asked Violeta if they should step in to help, but Violeta refused their assistance.

She wanted to settle things with Zelena on her own.

She wanted to see Zelena lose everything before she'd be happy.

At first, Josh and Sharon came to Quinston thinking they were going to get justice for Zelena. It turned out...