Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism novel Chapter 306

Although Kaylee was Zelena's direct target, her roommates were suffering due to Zelena's influence.

The student council, under Zelena's sway, was making life difficult for Kaylee's roommates, indirectly isolating her.

Unwilling to accept this, Kaylee sought Violeta's advice.

Understanding the situation, Violeta reassured Kaylee, "There are other ways to deal with this. You don't have to live in the store room."

"What ways?" Kaylee questioned.

Violeta smiled. "We just need to remove Zelena from her position as student council president."

She was aware that getting Kaylee's single room back wasn't an option.

The only solution was to neutralize the source of the problem. They had to deal with Zelena.

Zelena was using her position to pressure her roommates into isolating Kaylee.

It became clear that Zelena's actions against Kaylee were merely a means to an end. Her true target was Violeta, but since Violeta lived off-campus, Kaylee became the next best victim.

The student council presidency is typically held by a junior, as was the case with Nolan.

Freshmen and sophomores join as members or department heads to gain experience, while seniors are usually too preoccupied with academics and internships.

Junior year was the perfect time for student council leadership.

Zelena ascended to the student council presidency through a web of bribes and favors, securing the loyalty of key school figures and a majority of council members.

Her knack for exploiting vulnerabilities and promising rewards had become her signature move.

Despite her cunning, Zelena lacked the composure to handle unexpected crises, preferring instead to instigate them.

While the prospect of exposing her machinations seemed daunting, it wasn't impossible.

All it would take was the right moment, the perfect opportunity to unravel her carefully constructed facade!

...

The opportunity soon presented itself.

Three days later, the school announced the annual sports day.

Spring was the perfect season for a sports day.

In compliance with national requirements, Toland University hosted a sports day every year.

Unlike the fervent spirit of high school sports meets, the annual event at this institution typically drew lukewarm enthusiasm from the student. It was a routine affair, neither grand nor neglected.

However, this year was different.

Kaylee tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

...

Zelena was consumed by her ambition to debut.

In her previous life, Violeta's counselor had tipped her off about a lead role in the TV drama "Spring Isn't Blooming."

But ultimately, the role slipped from Violeta's prepared hands and fell to Zelena, who had bribed the director.

While Violeta was unsure how Zelena managed to sway the director, she knew it must have cost a considerable sum.

The role was a significant one, and Zelena's allowance wouldn't have covered such an expense.

Violeta suspected Zelena had sought financial help from her parents.

Despite this windfall, Zelena's finances were stretched thin.

As student council president, she regularly splurged on lavish meals for her team to maintain their loyalty

Her store, "The Breeze," while contributing some income, barely broke even due to aggressive price cuts to rival Sunset Cafe.

The conclusion was clear—Zelena was in dire need of money.