Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism



Jasper suddenly remembered Mandy, all because of that pack of Marlboros from before.

As he headed downstairs to settle the bill, he overheard an argument at the bar.

"Skyler, why wasn't the cigarette sale credited to me?"

"Room 303 wasn't your table. You're just trying to steal someone else's credit. What's the matter? You want a tip too? Well, maybe once you start wearing stockings, we'll talk."

Mandy clenched her jaw. "But he specifically asked for me. I didn't go looking for him."

"There's no proof of that. If you want credit, get Jasper to vouch for you."

Mandy fell silent.

Skyler knew full well that Jasper would never come downstairs just to vouch for her.

In Skyler's eyes, Mandy was too proud and rebellious.

She needed to be put in her place, and that included making her clean the bathrooms and take care of the less desirable tasks.

"Skyler, why do you always target me?" Mandy asked, her voice barely concealing her frustration.

"I'm not targeting you. If you don't like it, you can leave."

Mandy's hands balled into fists, her frustration building.

Just as she was about to resign herself to another day of being mistreated, Jasper's voice rang out from the stairs, calm and clear.

"Credit her for the cigarettes."

Skyler immediately straightened. "Sure."

Mandy had been fully prepared to quit on the spot, even if it meant working for free for half a month, but she was caught off guard when Jasper once again stepped in to help.

She glanced over at him, filled with gratitude.

Jasper's cold expression didn't change. He gave her a brief glance before heading toward the door.

After he left, Skyler glanced at Mandy meaningfully. "If you knew how to play your cards right and got close to him, you wouldn't have to listen to me anymore."

Mandy didn't respond.

Skyler's words stung, especially for someone like Mandy, who was new to the workforce.Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

Jasper's two acts of kindness had stirred something in her.

She found herself looking forward to the next time she would see him.

However, Jasper's visits to Mystique weren't regular.

He wasn't the type of person Mandy could run into just by wanting to.

Meanwhile, Lucy had heard the rumors circulating about Jasper and Violeta when she returned from abroad.

She assumed the two of them were together now.

Many at school believed it too.

Whenever women got too clingy,

Jasper would usually distance

himself, knowing that the more

attention he gave them, the more trouble it would cause.

He hadn't expected Lucy to go to Violeta and start stirring up drama.

It became a public scene in the cafeteria, and things got ugly.

Hayden eventually stepped in to stop Lucy from causing further trouble.

Lucy, knowing better than to cross Hayden, backed down and left.

If Hayden hadn't spoken up, Jasper wouldn't have just stood by and watched Violeta get hurt.

He knew Hayden would intervene because Violeta was different from him.

And Jasper had been right. It was another sign that Violeta meant something to Hayden.

That was a good thing, just like Jasper had said before he wished them the best.

But the pang of jealousy he felt deep down told him that his well-wishes

weren't as genuine as he liked. pretend.

He wasn't as indifferent as he wanted to be, but he couldn't control his feelings.

"Timing is everything in life," Jasper thought, snapping out of his reverie.

In front of him, an older man, clearly drunk, was rambling on.

et

"Look here, young man, I got this drink first, so don't go trying to take it from me! If you want more, you'll just have to sit back and watch, haha!"

"Then pay for it," Jasper replied coolly.

"Huh? Haha, pay for it? No way! That's never going to happen. Haha... hic!"

Skyler approached, gesturing for two waiters to escort the drunken guests upstairs.

"It's just you tonight? Room 303, as usual?" Skyler asked Jasper.

"Yeah."

With that, Jasper coldly nodded and headed upstairs.

It was clear that something was off with him tonight.

He was alone, and anyone could tell his mood wasn't great.

Once in the private room, he ordered a single bottle of liquor and sat there drinking by himself.

After returning downstairs, a supervisor approached Skyler. "Skyler, should we send someone up to keep him company?" "No need. Jasper's not in the mood today. Let's not disturb him."