Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 301 Earphones

The police would continue their investigation.

However, acquaintances told Grace not to hold out too much hope, as the driver was dead, and even if there was evidence, it would be difficult to find the truth without his testimony.

After the call, Grace was filled with disappointment.

Even though she knew something was fishy about the incident, she had no evidence.

Hazel and Nydia had been by Grace's side since childhood, and Grace was heartbroken and powerless over what had happened to them.

However, Grace didn't have much time to wallow in sorrow.

After composing herself, she turned and left the parking lot.

Grace hadn't taken two steps when she saw Vivian up ahead, carrying a bag and walking gracefully toward a black BMW. Vivian used a car key to open the door and then searched around inside the car.

Standing in the shadows, Grace found Vivian's actions strange.

This wasn't Vivian's car, so what was she looking for in someone else's car?

And the competition wasn't even over yet, how could Vivian, as the leader of a dance troupe, leave so early?

Suddenly, Grace remembered her encounter with Simon backstage. He had the same perfume scent as Vivian, could this car be Simon's?

With this thought, Grace took out her phone, snapped a photo of the black BMW, and sent it to her old friend. She instructed, "Can you check if this car belongs to Simon? Need quick!"

Minutes later, her friend confirmed her hunch. "Yes, it is. I was looking for you earlier, thought you'd left. Why are you hiding in the parking lot? The competition's over. Hurry back, they're about to announce the results."

Grace's heart sank as her suspicions were confirmed.

So, it was Simon's car.

And Vivian had his keys? What was going on between those two?

She watched as Vivian retrieved a room card from the car.

Vivian then drove off in her own vehicle.

Emerging from the shadows, Grace frowned.

"Vivian, oh Vivian," she muttered to herself, "if your reputation is tarnished one day, you'll only have yourself to blame."

But she had no time to dwell on it now. The results were about to be announced, and she needed to get back to Violeta.

...

Fifteen minutes later.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

The competition results were finally announced.

Violeta's entry "Lunar Whirl" won the Gold Award for The 14th Lotus Award for Classical Dance Choreography, as well as the Silver Award for the work itself.

The other rankings were also announced.

The dance troupe led by Vivian won the performance gold medal and a bronze medal for their piece "Bloom Foxtrot."

The announcement brought a wave of mixed emotions. The winning teams erupted in jubilation, while those who fell short masked their disappointment with polite smiles.

Violeta hadn't expected to win anything but ended up with both a gold and a silver medal.

She happily embraced Grace backstage.

Violeta had become the biggest dark horse of this year's Lotus Awards.

On the other hand, Lucy couldn't shake a feeling of unease despite her own win.

The backstage area was gradually emptied.

Simon had left the backstage area at some unknown point.

Lucy also left with her troupe to attend a celebration dinner before heading back to the hotel.

She texted Vivian about the awards, but Vivian didn't reply.

A nagging feeling that something wasn't right about Vivian lingered in Lucy's mind, though she couldn't quite grasp what it was.

...

Violeta finished changing and removing her makeup backstage.

Grace had made a reservation at a restaurant and planned to take

Violeta

d some old friends fr

the organizing committee out for dinner.

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Violeta's earphones were still in Simon's jacket pocket, and she wanted to get them back from him.

However, she couldn't find Simon anywhere after searched the entire venue.

D*mn it. Where did he go?

If she couldn't find him, how would she get her earphones back?

Just then, Grace appeared behind Violeta.

"Vio, are you done packing? Let's go."

Violeta turned around, looking troubled. "Ms. Parker, why don't you guys go first, I need to find someone."

"Who? Your friend? Maybe they can come eat with us."

"No, it's the guy named Simon who came backstage earlier ... "

"Simon Paul? Why are you looking for him?"

Violeta made up an excuse. "Yes, that's him. I think I left my earphones in his jacket pocket, I want to get them back."

Grace didn't doubt this reason.

"Fine, I'll help you ask around."

Grace went backstage and asked her friends about Simon.

Her friends told Grace that Simon had already left a while ago.

Hearing this, Grace had no choice but to tell Violeta, "Vio, if you've lost your earphones, I'll buy you a new pair as a celebration gift for your award."

There was no other option.

The earphones weren't actually that expensive, but Violeta was used to being frugal from her past life.

A pair of wireless earphones cost a

couple hundred, which could be used for, many other things. If she had known Simon would leave so quickly, she wouldn't have put her earphones in his pocket.

Ugh, wasn't this a waste of money?