Phoenix Rising: From Heartache to Heroism

Chapter 161 The Crumbling Hope

Violeta recalled when she had taunted Hattie during their last gaming session.

Imagining her upcoming meeting with Hattie, she wondered who would be embarrassed.

"Whatever. If they come, they come. It's got nothing to do with us."

Liam, glancing at the rain splattering against the window. He never thought the island would sink, but here they were.

At first, he didn't want to run into them, but now it seemed unavoidable.

Niall tried to ease their concerns. "Rest assured. Hattie, her brother, and the other servants from the island will stay in the house next to the villa. Once the rain stops, they'll leave. Our staff will bring them meals daily so they won't bother you."

"That's a relief," Liam replied.

...

As the White Sunset docked, Hattie was so emotionally overwhelmed that her tears threatened to fall. "Benson, look at that enormous yacht! Dad must have sent Niall to rescue us. Let's hurry and get on board."

They boarded the White Sunset together with the other servants on the island.

Hattie had been pondering how they'd managed to get on the yacht before, but she never expected to board it in such a sorry state.

Although she was embarrassed, a flicker of pride ignited within her.

Once aboard, Hattie wasted no time. She struck poses from every angle, snapping photos and pairing them with haughty captions before posting them online.

Before they arrived at the island, she crafted a plan. As soon as she saw Niall, she'd chat with him, aiming to leave the best possible impression, maybe even charm him.

So, she put on a waterproof full-face makeup look in the yacht room, hoping to appear delicately pitiful.

However, when they disembarked, her excitement plummeted. Niall was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Niall?"

The servant, who came to meet them in a shuttle bus, answered, "Mr. Niall isn't here. So, hurry up and get into the bus."

Hattie eyed the shabby shuttle bus before her. Meanwhile, many servants beside her and Benson got off the yacht.

Due to the limited number of shuttle buses on the island, it was inevitable for them to squeeze with the servants. The thought of squeezing in with the drenched, sour smelly servants with her good dress made her recoil.

"Isn't there another bus? Do we have to squeeze in together?"

"We only have three shuttles on the island because normally, no one else is here. You can squeeze enough in these three buses. We don't have the luxury ones for you to pick and choose. Unless you want to wait here while we take them and come back for you."

Hattie was speechless.

Benson urged her, "Hattie, just get on the bus."

Despite her reluctance, she was more afraid of being left alone.

The shore is so dark. The wind and rain are so strong. How terrifying! "Fine."

Hattie could only climb into the shuttle with Benson.

As the vacation villa loomed closer, her anticipation to meet Niall grew.

However, at a junction, the shuttle suddenly veered off, heading in a different direction.

"Where are we going? Aren't we headed to the villa?"

The driver in front said, "Mr. Niell arranged for you to stay in a small private cottage nearby."

"What?!"

Hattie was taken aback and immensely disappointed.

The small private cottage might be nice, but it meant she couldn't see Niall.

"No need for special treatment. We don't need to stay in the small private cottage."

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror, rolling his eyes.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"Miss Hattie, I can't make decisions in this matter."

Hattie couldn't say a word.

Hattie's hopes of meeting Niall crumbled before they even began.

She was utterly speechless.

However, she wasn't ready to give up this great opportunity so easily. She resolved to find a way to meet him, no matter what.

---

After ensuring Hattie, Benson, and the servants were settled, the shuttle bus driver returned to the main villa.

Niall was waiting for them in the living room.

"Sir, everyone is settled."

Niall nodded, his voice calm and low. "If they have any needs, try to fulfil them as much as possible." "Alright, I understand."

"Have they made any requests?" Niall asked.

The driver thought for a while. "No special requests, but Miss Hattiez seemed particularly eager to meet you. She looked quite disappointed when she found out they'd be staying in the small private cottage."

"Disappointed?"

Niall's eyes flickered with interest.

He had never met Hattie and Benson, the illegitimate siblings who had recently returned from Harbor City.

Why are they so keen to meet me?

Niall had no interest in them. Since

ancient times, none of the

illegitimate offspring who had

el

returned from the outside behaved appropriately.

If he interacted with them too much,

it would lead to nothing but

get

. Niall had no desire

d in such messy affairs.