Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism novel Chapter 658

Violeta stated with conviction, "I'm nearly certain that Zelena is behind all of this.

"She holds a grudge against me. While it may appear that she isn't involved, my instincts tell me she was targeting me. Yet somehow, Ophelia ended up taking the brunt of it."

Hayden's face grew serious. "Zelena? Do you believe she poses a real threat? I mean, in a physical sense?"

A physical threat?

In her previous life, Zelena had found enjoyment in tormenting Violeta, relishing her struggles as she fought to survive in the lower rungs of society.

But back then, it had never escalated to actual danger.

However, this time, the situation was markedly different. The unpredictability of the changes made Violeta wary; she couldn't be sure what Zelena might do next.

So, she nodded in response. "Yes. Just her presence feels threatening to me. But ... considering everything that's happened, I owe her 18 years."

Violeta had been anticipating the moment when everything would finally erupt, and she sensed it was approaching rapidly.

Hayden was aware of the switch that had occurred in Violeta and Zelena's lives for the past 18 years.

Zelena's expulsion from school had created quite a buzz back then, although Hayden had already moved to Newham by that time.

He believed Violeta could handle minor setbacks in her career without assistance.

Yet, if matters had escalated to this level, it was not something he could overlook.

Had Violeta not confided in him, he would have remained in the dark. Now that he was informed, he felt compelled to take action; he wouldn't be able to call himself a man if he didn't.

Hayden's eyes narrowed, resolute. Clearly, Zelena needed to be confronted.

Violeta had been fortunate once, but could she rely on that same luck a second time?

Hayden couldn't bear to think of the potential consequences if she didn't.

He grasped Violeta's hand firmly. "Let me take care of this. I'll arrange for someone to track him down."

Violeta nodded in agreement. "Alright."

She assumed Hayden meant he would simply locate the individual involved.

But what she didn't anticipate was …

Not long after, Zelena found herself quietly blacklisted by those in power.

Zelena's earlier appearances had been allowed to air, but all her unreleased variety shows were being rejected without any clear reason, returned to her for reassessment.

News of her predicament began to ripple through the industry.

When Violeta caught wind of it, she inquired, "Zelena's been blacklisted?"

Aster responded, "Yeah. Mr. Scott, do you have any idea what's happening? Who did Zelena upset?"

Eugene shook his head, looking grave. "I'm not sure, but the buzz is that no one wants to collaborate with her anymore. All the content she previously filmed—variety shows and the like—has been cut without any negotiation.

"The shows that couldn't get approval overnight have edited Zelena out just to pass the review. Otherwise, they wouldn't even reach the screening phase."

Aster's eyes widened in shock. "What? That's completely outrageous! Who did she anger to provoke this?"

Eugene shrugged, his expression serious. "I have no clue, but it must be someone influential."

Violeta paused for a moment as a name crept into her mind—Hayden!

Could this possibly be ...

Hayden's doing?

Such a clean and decisive termination seemed like the sort of maneuver only someone in a position of power could orchestrate.