Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 290 Graduation

They received their graduation photos earlier, in their caps and gowns. In the afternoon, when they met up at

the pool hall, Zoren proudly showed off the photos.

"Vio, look at how handsyour brother is! Hahaha."

Violeta took the graduation photos. She looked at both the class photo and one of the four group photos.

In the photo of the four of them, Hayden and Zoren stood in the middle, with Jasper on the left and Liam on the

right, with the stone at Toland University's West Gate behind them, engraved with the school motto.

All four of them looked very handsand carried themselves with an air of sophistication.

After graduation, they wouldn't see each other daily like before. They were all heading in different directions for

their future careers.

The young men who had entered university at age eighteen were finally about to stand on their own.

Violeta's gaze lingered on each of their faces. Her gaze paused slightly longer on Hayden's before handing the

photos back to Zoren. "Okay, okay, you're the most handsome."

This time, Kaylee had calong with Violeta. She also looked at the photos as she leaned on Violeta's shoulder.

Her expression was one of envy. "That's great! You guys are graduating, but we still have two more years."

As Zoren put the photos away, he said, "What's there to envy? When you're studying, you can still ask your

family for money. Once you graduate, without any skills, you can't just go ask for money from hwithout

getting scolded."

Violeta smiled calmly and said, "Don't worry, bro. Just keep rescuing animals with them. Loving Home's brand will

definitely take off in the future!"

Zoren laughed, "What? Are you a goddess? Do your words hold that much power?"

Violeta admitted, "Of course! If you don't believe me, cand pay your respects. Just wait a few years and see

if I'm right!"

When Jasper heard this, he gave Zoren a playful kick. "You heard her; go pay your respects!"

Unprepared, Zoren staggered forward. He crashed his forehead against Kaylee's as she stood up from the couch.

"Ouch!"

Kaylee immediately clutched her forehead.

Zoren's forehead hurt too, but he endured it and turned to glare at Jasper. "You dog!"

"Are you okay, Kaylee?" Zoren asked, concerned.

Kaylee waved it off and said, "I'm fine."

Violeta glanced at Kaylee's reddened forehead and said, "It's all red. You need to take responsibility. It's going to

swell up soon."

Zoren protested, "I've got a bump too. Jasper should take responsibility!"

Jasper quickly put down his cue and walked away nonchalantly, pretending not to hear.

Liam took a sip of his drink. He laughed, "Haha."

Hayden had just finished a phone call by the window. He returned to see Liam laughing. Hayden glanced at

Violeta and asked, "What's so funny?"

Liam pointed to Jasper and then to Zoren, explaining with a laugh.

"Jas kicked Zoren, who then bumped his head into Kaylee's. It was hilarious. You should have seen it, Hade."

Kaylee couldn't handle teasing; her face turned as red as her forehead.

She blushed.

Violeta continued to tease Kaylee and said, "Does that count as a bow?"

"Huh? What bow?"

"Of course, it's the bow during the wedding ceremony!"

"No, it's not!"

Kaylee's face turned even redder. She hadn't thought about it at all.

Violeta laughed. She noticed that Kaylee was genuinely shy and stopped teasing her.

Hayden noticed Zoren's slight discomfort; he handed him a cue and said, "Stop showing off the photos and play

pool."

Two hours passed.

Violeta joined in for a couple of rounds.

When it was tto eat, they all went for fondue.

This meal was a final farewell to their school life.

After graduation, Hayden was

headed to Newham for work andet

might not return to Quinston for several years unless his job required a transfer.

Jasper felt like he hadn't had enough fun. He planned to spend two years in Wiltonshire before returning to take

over the family business.

Liam, who once shared Jasper's

idea of going abroad, now had to et

step up and adapt to his

velhet

responsibilities at Ridge Group due to family circumstances.

Zoren pinned his hopes on Loving Home's website. If the website succeeded, he could delay returning hto

take over the family business.

At the end of the meal, they raised their glasses for a toast.

"To success!"

"To a bright future!"

"To early promotions!"

They continue to toast with each other.

Everyone's faces were lit up with smiles.

Violeta paid for the meal. She used the opportunity to repay Hayden for helping her suppress a trending topic

earlier.

The evening wind was strong. Kaylee had to return to her dorm to catch a bus hthe next morning.

Violeta suggested to Zoren, saying, "Bro, you should take Kaylee back."

Zoren glanced at Hayden. Then he put on his motorcycle gloves and handed another helmet to Kaylee.

"Alright, then Hade can take you hlater.

"I'm leaving now. Bye!"

He drove off with Kaylee.

Jasper and Liam shared a ride back.

Hayden hadn't driven, so Violeta intended to call a cab. Instead, he called his driver. They waited by the

roadside.

Violeta stood next to Hayden. Her

height only reached his shoulder

She wore a bright red sweatshirt and

stuffed her hands into its front pocket. Violeta tilted her head and asked him curiously.