Rebirth vs. Rebirth Tragedy to Triumph by Violeta and Zelena [[Chapters 641, to 650]] – Daisy Novels   

Chapter 641

Even without any special insight, Violeta was sure that Zelena was behind everything.

Aster went to look into the blonde waiter but found out he was a temporary worker who had left a long time ago.

She had to report back with only partial information.

Violeta was certain the waiter was involved, so she didn’t hold out much hope that he would still be at the hotel. However, with his ID and name, tracking him down wouldn’t be too hard.

She didn’t plan on taking further action herself.

She input the waiter’s information into the computer and sent it anonymously to Ophelia.

Ophelia was more determined than Violeta to get to the bottom of things.

Once she had the information, she would handle it from there, so Violeta didn’t need to worry.

Indeed, Violeta was too busy to focus on it.

The premiere of Wind Harbor was approaching, and she was preparing to publicly announce her relationship with Hayden.

Wind Harbor was finished and set to release around the same time as Summer with You.

Evelina was juggling both projects. With Three-Faced Fox recently completed and Summer with You coming up, she was gaining more popularity and was expected to hit A-list status.

The company wanted to push Susan into the spotlight. So, she got considerable exposure when the promotional posters for Summer with You were released.

Evelina aimed to dominate the attention, but the company had other plans.

When Winona brought that up with Lance, he stared at her.

“Don’t you know this play is intended to showcase new talent?

“If you didn’t realize that before agreeing to the role, it’s not my concern.”

When Violeta received the script, Eugene had mentioned that the company hoped she would mentor Susan.

Given Violeta’s popularity, she wasn’t worried about such details because the spotlight naturally followed her.

However, Evelina was insecure and worried about losing screen time to Susan.

Lance remarked, “If you can’t accept it, you shouldn’t have taken the role. Why are you coming to me now? If Evelina doesn’t want to promote the drama, then she should stay away and let Susan go instead.”

Winona was reluctant, but Lance made a valid point.

It was clear from the start that this play was designed for experienced actors to mentor newcomers. As the second female lead, Susan was supposed to have her share of the spotlight.

Ultimately, Evelina was anxious about her popularity and feared Susan might overshadow her.

Even if she was worried now, it was too late.

The official announcement for Summer with You was set to start soon.

Evelina was stressed about competing with Violeta and Susan’s popularity, which was a real headache.

Her distress was compounded by the fact that Shania, her cousin, and Jenny’s younger sister, had been exposed by Violeta, arrested, and given a criminal record. Apex would never accept an artist assistant with such a background.

So, the company demanded Evelina’s team dismiss Shania.

Jenny was unwilling to let her younger sister leave, causing chaos in their team.

Evelina, overwhelmed, finally offered Shania a monthly payment to stay away from work while still receiving a salary. Shania agreed as it was a good deal.

At the start of the next month, Ophelia’s issue slowly faded from the public eye, and she disappeared from the spotlight.

Both Evelina and Jacques’ teams promoted their dramas heavily, pushing two hashtags to the top of the trending list.

But alongside the drama news, Violeta’s relationship was officially announced.

Early in the morning, marketing accounts buzzed and reposted the news on Facebook.

Violeta’s page shared a photo with Hayden and captioned, “Not just friends, but more than that !!

Frosty’s page also posted the same caption, confirming his identity as Hayden.

Fans were stunned, netizens were shocked, and Facebook was overwhelmed.

From 8:00 am until 10:00 am, the site experienced a total crash.

It was a historic moment.

No one expected Violeta to make such a bold announcement about her romance!

Chapter 642

Moreover, her fiancé was Hayden.

Fans had been eagerly sharing updates about Wind Harbor, but everything changed when they saw Violeta’s personal Facebook post. At first, people thought it was a fake account, but the profile photo confirmed it was Violeta’s official page.

“Wow! Am I dreaming?”

“What? Violeta just officially announced her relationship?”

“Wait, with Hayden? She’s his girlfriend?”

“This is unbelievable!”

“Violeta, are you serious? Is this official?”

“Is this just for the drama promotion? You don’t need to be so serious. I’ll go watch it!”

“Alright, since you’re being honest, I agree with this marriage!”

“Hayden is outstanding. He’s perfect for Violeta. Keep up the good work.”

“Since Violeta announced her relationship with him, he must be special. Hehe!”

The comments were filled with a variety of reactions, but most were positive, with only a few negative ones that could be ignored.

Violeta had never been publicly linked with a male actor before, so her sudden announcement was a big surprise.

Luckily, netizens were accepting.

The recent in-depth exploration of Hayden’s work had shown him in a great light, and many women envied his fiancée.

It turned out that Hayden’s fiancée was Violeta!

The person they admired was engaged to their beloved goddess!

Violeta’s announcement also sparked a huge surge in popularity for Wind Harbor, with the hashtag gaining twenty times more attention than expected, overwhelming the fan hub.

Evelina’s paid search trend couldn’t compete with the buzz around Violeta’s news. The entire internet’s attention had shifted to Violeta.

Evelina was furious in the lounge.

After all her investigations, Shania was exposed by Violeta herself. And now, Violeta was using this popularity to promote her new drama!

Wind Harbor truly hit the jackpot this time!

Evelina was frustrated because Summer with You was a prime- time drama. How could it be overshadowed by Wind Harbor?

Winona, seeing the situation, put down her phone and said to Evelina, “Don’t be too upset. Do your best and let fate handle the rest. We’ve done everything possible, even buying search trends ourselves, but it didn’t help much. We just need to focus on the drama promotion and not spend more money.”

“But this is a prime-time drama! Evelina insisted.

“Don’t you get it? It’s not about whether it’s prime time or not. It’s about Violeta’s drama. The popularity is already set by her announcement.”

Winona squinted. “Violeta is indeed smart. She’s turned her weaknesses into strengths.”

Violeta’s official announcement, regardless of fans’ reactions, boosted her.

Not everyone was interested in the theme of Wind Harbor, but with the buzz, even a few viewers might check out the drama, making it a success.

The production team enjoyed working with actors like her- benefit with no downside.

Evelina bit her lip reluctantly. “So, should I just wait and watch?”

“Just wait. We’re not the only ones anxious. Many are more worried than us. We can wait until Violeta’s popularity wave is gone. Our main focus now should be Susan. The company has invested heavily in her, and we can’t let her overshadow you.”

Evelina suddenly felt a cold sweat forming on her forehead and clutched her stomach. “Got it.”

Jenny noticed something was wrong with Evelina and asked, “Evie, are you alright?”

Evelina waved her off. “It’s nothing. Just a stomach ache from not eating.”

Winona looked at her with concern. “Evie, you’ve been losing weight lately. You shouldn’t overuse that thing, or you’ll suffer more.”

Chapter 643

Evelina looked down and fiddled with the pendant around her neck.

“I know that.”

But having tasted the benefits, how could she let them go?

Her greed would likely lead to trouble eventually.

To maintain her appearance on camera, she had become so thin she looked skeletal.

Not only was Violeta’s Facebook page attracting attention, but Hayden’s also gained over two million followers in just an hour. Most of them were Violeta’s fans.

Hayden felt a bit uneasy about all the attention.

Violeta teased him, “This is the cost of fame. You’ll have to get used to it when you’re with me.”

He responded, “Thanks to your influence. I’ll keep working hard.”

“That’s the spirit.”

Violeta gave him a playful pat on the cheek.

He took the chance to hold her hand gently.

The drama Wind Harbor became a major hit.

The announcement of Violeta and Hayden together kept them in the spotlight. Both of them saw a significant increase in their follower count.

The hype continued through the release of Wind Harbor, with the first five episodes receiving high ratings.

During the same period, Summer with You also performed well but only managed to rank third.

The second-ranked drama was a wartime spy film.

Despite the overshadowing hype of Violeta’s announcement, war-themed films usually had a steady audience.

Most of the younger viewers flocked to Wind Harbor, which had a noticeable impact on Summer with You.

Although Jacques was an A-list celebrity, he couldn’t compete with Violeta’s buzz and would have to wait for the market to balance out.

Wind Harbor had only 26 episodes. With two episodes released daily, it would wrap up in less than a month.

Meanwhile, Summer with You had close to 40 episodes. Even though it was currently overshadowed by Wind Harbor, it still had potential after Wind Harbor finished airing.

With the official announcement, Violeta and Hayden no longer needed to keep their relationship secret.

Hayden openly went to Apex Entertainment to pick up Violeta.

Many paparazzi, who were keeping a close watch, snapped photos of them together, which were then shared online, with fans and netizens commenting on how adorable they looked.

In November, the 54th Golden Rooster Film Festival kicked off.

At the awards ceremony, she walked the red carpet with the cast of The Island, with the director in the middle, Violeta on one side, and Chad on the other.

Chad’s career had also improved since his role in The Island.

He had made a name for himself as a tough guy among popular male stars, and most of his films were action-packed crime dramas, a genre that had been lacking since the decline of Harbor City’s cinema.

The film industry had high hopes for him, so they made crime films for him. He had just finished filming and came to attend the Golden Rooster Awards.

Violeta noticed Chad’s enhanced physique. After walking the red carpet, they all sat together and chatted casually.

There were many standout films from last year. The Island was only one of them, and Violeta wasn’t sure if she would win any awards. It was up to fate.

The main difference between a film festival audience and a TV show audience was the lack of familiar faces.

Zelena, Hattie, Evelina, and others weren’t invited.

It showed that Violeta had reached a new level. it was no longer just about popularity but about true talent.

Surrounded by skilled individuals, Violeta admired many actors but didn’t see Ophelia among them.

The previous incident seemed to have had a significant effect, as Ophelia didn’t even attend this time.

The entire cast of Dawn was present, except for its female lead, Ophelia.

The major films competing for awards from last year were Red Lamp, The Island, and Dawn.

In the commercial film industry, the main competition for Best Actress was between Ophelia and Violeta.

Since Red Lamp had no female leads, if Ophelia didn’t show up, Violeta was likely to win.

However, there was still a chance that Ophelia could win with someone else accepting the award on her behalf, much like Nolan did for Violeta in the past.

Chapter 644

Even though Violeta sympathized with Ophelia’s situation, there could only be one Best Actress. Naturally, she hoped it would be her.

The awards ceremony kicked off smoothly, following the usual routine. The familiar hosts were on stage, and the audience greeted them with enthusiastic applause. Violeta joined in with polite clapping.

Years ago, when Nolan won his first Best Actor Award, she was in the audience. She silently wished that one day she would also have the chance to step onto that stage.

Her dream might become a reality tonight.

The awards were being handed out one after another, accompanied by continuous applause from the crowd.

Kaylee leaned in and whispered, “Vio, it looks like Ophelia didn’t show up.”

Violeta responded, “Yes, I noticed that as well.”

Kaylee added, “You have a strong chance of winning Best Actress tonight.”

Violeta replied, “I hope so, but we’ll see if it’s meant to be.”

Kaylee smiled encouragingly. “I believe in you. Have confidence in yourself.”

With Red Lamp being so well-written and innovative, and its box office success, it nearly swept the awards, including Best Director, Best Screenplay, and several others.

The director from Red Lamp wore a constant smile.

Half an hour later, it was time for the Best Actor and Actress awards.

Two presenters took the stage, scripts in hand, ready to announce the winners.

“The winner of this year’s Best Actor is…

“Wallace Ziegler from Red Lamp!”

The audience erupted in applause.

“It’s indeed Wallace.”

A tall, striking man in the front row stood up, smiled at the crowd, adjusted his suit, and walked to the stage.

Whispers spread through the audience. “It’s not surprising. He’s the best. I heard that Red Lamp also performed well internationally. It isn’t an exaggeration to call it a masterpiece.”

Wallace, the Best Actor, wasn’t widely known. He’d been working in the industry for 20 years, experiencing many highs and lows.

He was a late bloomer who struggled early on, but as he aged, he developed a mature charm.

Now, he had finally received the recognition he deserved, and his emotional acceptance speech brought a hint of redness to his eyes.

After Wallace left the stage with his trophy, the presenters moved on to the next award.

“So, what’s next?”

“It’s the Best Actress Award. I wonder who’s the winner tonight.

Let me see… Oh, it’s her!”

“The actresses nominated this year are both stunning and talented. Let’s review their films.”

The big screen displayed clips from the nominated films one by one, starting with exciting scenes from Dawn and followed by The Island.

The clips showcased the highlights of those movies.

Violeta watched the scenes and remembered working on them.

She had teamed up with Chad for The Island and The Golden Age, achieving success together.

Unfortunately, Red Lamp was too strong, and Chad didn’t win the Best Actor Award.

His chances of winning the Best Actor Award with The Island seemed slim compared to the veteran actors in the film.

As the clips ended, the camera focused on the faces of the female leads from the nominated films.

The presenter mentioned Ophelia’s absence with a touch of regret, saying, “Unfortunately, Ophelia couldn’t be here tonight due to health issues. I’m sure she’s watching from home.”

By mentioning Ophelia, the presenter built suspense. Some began speculating whether Ophelia was the Best Actress and if the award would be accepted by her co-star, Hugo.

The presenter dragged out the moment for effect. Finally, holding the script, she slowly announced, “The winner of the 54th Best Actress award is…”

The camera quickly shifted to capture the moment.

Chapter 645

“It’s Dawn…”

The audience was in an uproar.

Kaylee glanced over at the Dawn team in surprise.

Violeta, however, remained calm and collected.

The presenter then announced, “It’s Violeta White, the female lead from ‘The Island’, sitting next to the ‘Dawn’ team!”

Kaylee covered her mouth, staring at Violeta with amazement. “Vio, it’s you!”

Violeta’s heart raced, but she managed to keep her composure, responding calmly, “I heard it.”

“Congratulations! Please come up on stage to accept your award.”

Nearby, the director and the others offered their congratulations with smiles. Violeta removed her coat, hugged them, and walked toward the stage with a beaming smile.

As she made her way to the stage, a video showcasing her years of award-winning achievements played on the screen.

Violeta’s career had been consistently successful.

She delivered exceptional films almost every year, transitioning from television dramas to movies with ease.

Remarkably, none of her projects had ever been shelved. Her luck seemed extraordinary, almost as if she had a natural charm that ensured success.

Many well-known actors, even at the peak of their careers, had faced delays with their projects, with some taking five or six years to be released, by which time they had become outdated and unsuccessful.

Investors preferred working with actors like Violeta, who could finish filming and quickly see their work hit the screens. Believing in luck seemed almost necessary in her case.

Take Hattie, for example, who had been filming numerous projects recently, but none had yet been aired. It was unclear what had gone wrong.

Violeta ascended the stage and accepted the trophy from the presenters. They both smiled warmly and told her to say a few words.

Violeta, well-prepared, addressed the audience with confidence and grace before gracefully exiting the stage.

Backstage, Eugene and Aster were equally pleased.

Eugene was particularly delighted that Violeta’s achievements had surpassed those of Lydia.

He had watched her grow from a budding talent into a renowned actress, and he was thrilled to see her success.

Eugene turned to Aster and said, “Let’s buy some wine later and celebrate at the company tonight.”

She agreed, “Sounds good.”

As Violeta came down from the stage with her award, Kaylee remarked, “Wow, the trophy is so dazzling! This rooster truly has a commanding presence.”

Violeta responded, “You’ll have your trophy one day.”

Kaylee sighed. “I don’t know when that will be.”

Violeta encouraged her, “It’s only a matter of time.”

The ceremony continued with more awards.

After the event, Violeta posted photos on Facebook, including selfies with industry veterans.

The comments were full of congratulations and celebrations from her fans.

Since her last break, Violeta hadn’t had a chance to rest until now, after the Golden Rooster Awards.

She was eager to relax after the event.

Following the celebration with Eugene, Violeta planned to take a break until the next year.

Eugene was surprised by her decision. “You’re going to rest for such a long time?”

“Yes,” Violeta replied. “I’m planning to go up the mountain.”

“Up the mountain? Are you going to make a wish?”

“Yes.”

Eugene was curious. “I thought you had everything and had no wishes left.”

Given her wealthy background, it seemed she should have few concerns.

Most problems in the world could be solved with money. Many in the entertainment industry chased wealth and fame, so they were considered worldly.

Violeta smiled and lowered her gaze. “Do I seem like someone without desires? Perhaps what I have now is exactly what I wished for.”

With November here and Christmas approaching, Eugene agreed to let Violeta take her break.

He admired how relaxed she was, even with Evelina pursuing her closely.

Violeta remained calm and unbothered, displaying no signs of nervousness.

Chapter 646

Violeta remarked, “Times are always changing. If she can replace me, it just means I’m not important enough. I’m excited for the release of The Golden Age and hoping that next year will bring even greater surprises.”

Eugene replied, “I’m excited too. Let’s look forward to it together.”

They toasted and finished their wine.

Now it was finally time for her to head up the mountain- something she had eagerly anticipated. The image of gently falling snow started to appear before her eyes.

Since her rebirth, Violeta had been pursuing her passions, achieving one goal after another. She had always secretly hoped that once she reached a certain level of success, she could

return to the mountain to fulfill her vow.

The moment had come to honor that vow.

She wanted to go up the mountain to restore the statues of the Hermitage and to reconnect with her master.

Violeta planned to spend a few months there, including Christmas, practicing and reflecting.

Irene, who also practiced semi-professionally, had only copied scriptures and had never lived on the mountain.

If it weren’t for her need to stay in Quinston to care for her grandson, she would have loved to accompany Violeta.

Mom, you don’t have to come with me. The Hermitage is small and can’t accommodate many people, Violeta explained.

“Which Hermitage are you talking about? I know all the well-known ones in Quinston. Vio, tell me more about it.”

“It’s called Luminous Cloud Cave.”

“I haven’t heard of that one.”

“Luminous Cloud Cave isn’t open to the public. I only learned about it by chance.”

Moreover, the path up the mountain could only be navigated on foot-cars couldn’t make it up.

Violeta didn’t want Irene, who was older, to struggle on the rugged trail, so she thought it best for Irene to stay in Quinston with her nephew.

Irene commented, “It’s good that it’s not open to the public. Many Hermitages these days are just commercializing their services under the guise of offering lamps, and they’re hardly genuine. If you want to go, then go.

“What about Hade? Is he going with you?”

“I’ll ask him later. If he has the time, he’ll join me for a visit.”

Violeta was planning to stay on the mountain for a few months. Hayden didn’t have a long enough vacation to stay that long, but could manage a week.

In the evening, she discussed her plans with him, preparing to take Tuna and Hera along.

Since Hayden’s vacation hadn’t started yet, Violeta would head up to the mountain first, and he would join her later.

After everything was arranged, she set out on Wednesday.

She remembered taking a bus for two dollars to reach the base of the mountain in her past life.

This time, Felix drove her there. She then carried her light luggage, with Tuna and Hera in tow, to begin her hike.

Looking up at the imposing mountain, Felix asked, “Ms. White, there doesn’t seem to be a proper path here. Are you sure you want to start from this point? Are you planning to hike?”

“Yes.”

Violeta looked at the overgrown trail ahead and said, “If you have a path in your heart, you’ll find a path beneath your feet.”

In her previous life, she had struggled to find the path as well. She had gotten lost halfway up the mountain and ended up taking hours to find Hermitage, nearly freezing in the heavy snowfall.

Felix hesitated. “Do you really not need me to accompany you? How about I drive you up there and then come back down?”

“No, just take the car back,” Violeta said, turning toward the mountain.

Felix watched her until she vanished into the greenery, then drove away.

Violeta focused on the path she had in mind. She picked up a stick to aid her climb.

Tuna led the way, while Hera flew above, occasionally landing on a tree branch and looking around.

When she was halfway up the mountain, her phone lost signal.

As the sun set, Violeta spotted the faint smoke rising from the Hermitage’s kitchen, suggesting that her senior might have started preparing the vegetarian meal.

She quickened her pace toward the Hermitage gate, growing more familiar with the surroundings. The old, yellowed wall, moss-covered stone steps, and the large character “Luminous Cloud Cave” at the entrance were all welcoming signs.

Hera perched on a stone pillar as Violeta set down her backpack and knocked on the door.

Chapter 647

“Knock knock knock”

She tapped on the door, retreated a couple of steps, and stood there in silence.

Soon enough, a young man dressed in a modest robe made of cotton and linen, his hair pinned up with a wooden clip, came to answer the door.

As soon as Violeta saw him, a smile lit up her face. She seemed to recognize him, but her words felt oddly formal. “Hello, Master.”

Francis Hoffman glanced at Violeta, puzzled. “And you are?”

Violeta said, “I was trekking the mountain when I stumbled upon this Hermitage. It’s getting late, and I was hoping to stay here for the night.”

The Luminous Cloud Cave was situated in a hidden, secluded spot.

Only five mentors lived within the Hermitage.

Additionally, the absence of any paths leading up or down the mountain made it difficult for most people to discover this location.

After an incident a few years back when a careless visitor from Glorialand stumbled upon it, Francis started to be suspicious of Violeta.

“Stay here,” he instructed.

Francis didn’t wait for Violeta to reply. He shut the door and went off to look for the Master.

…

In her past life, Violeta had also waited outside for quite some time, so this time, she came ready. She sat on the steps, pulling some biscuits from her bag to munch on.

The Luminous Cloud Cave wasn’t known for welcoming outsiders.

Years back, Violeta had brought James here, but it was unclear whether he had succeeded in his training.

As Violeta snacked on her biscuits, Tuna sat beside her on the steps. She tossed it a piece of jerky, while Hera perched on a stone pillar, her sharp golden eyes observing the interior of the Hermitage.

Francis entered the room to search for the Master.

Terrel Vance had predicted that a person with a significant bond to him would arrive at the Hermitage today, prompting him to come to the entrance with Francis.

Violeta was about to summon Hera for a meal when she heard the door open behind her.

She rose from the steps, momentarily taken aback, and turned to face them.

The figure from her memories appeared in front of her, and Violeta resisted the impulse to exclaim “Master!” Instead, she took a deep breath and greeted them calmly, “Greetings, Priests.”

Terrel glanced at Violeta, his hand moving up to stroke his beard.

Though old and frail, his demeanor was lively, and his sharp eyes continuously studied Violeta.

“Are you seeking to remain at the Hermitage?”

“Indeed,” she replied.

“How did you manage to locate the Hermitage?” Terrel asked.

He doubted that Violeta had arrived here by chance, as she appeared far too energetic for someone who had wandered. If she had stumbled upon this place, she would have shown signs of exhaustion.

Naturally, Violeta couldn’t reveal the truth, so she crafted a believable lie.

“I can’t deceive you. I dreamed about this place and felt compelled to visit. I never expected to find it. It seems like fate has led me to the Luminous Cloud Cave and to meet you.”

Even though it sounded unbelievable, those who follow the path of cultivation wouldn’t question this explanation.

After a brief pause, Terrel allowed Violeta to enter.

However, his eyes shifted to the large animal at Violeta’s feet and the birds flying overhead.

Violeta quickly said, “These are just my pets. They’re well-trained and won’t cause any trouble.”

Terrel said, “All living beings have souls. Let them come in with you.”

Francis added, “You’ve come at the perfect moment; we were just about to eat.”

Violeta replied, “I’ve brought my food, so that I won’t impose on you.”

Terrel instructed Francis to lead Violeta to a modest bamboo hut where she could rest. The hut was small, furnished with only a bed and a tiny table.

Violeta set her backpack on the table and moved towards the window. The Hermitage’s rear mountain was filled with bamboo, so they frequently had bamboo rice and stir-fried bamboo shoots.

In one corner of the room, there were some bamboo crafts stacked up, including teacup holders.

Since the priest at the Luminous Cloud Cave followed a vegetarian diet year-round, they were all quite slender.

Once a month, they would make their way down the mountain to sell bamboo-crafted items in exchange for cash. This money was then used to buy essential daily supplies. Now and then, they’d also sell blessed emerald bracelets, their sole source of income.

The priest took turns cutting and crafting bamboo.

Violeta had tried her hand at it before. Initially, she struggled, and a tiny bamboo splinter managed to prick her, causing a painful and itchy irritation.

Over time, she grew quite proficient and could craft a variety of items, such as baskets and bamboo mats.

Violeta stood in the doorway, gazing at the overhangs of the main hall across from her.

Life here was serene and uncomplicated, with days stretching out slowly. Despite having ample time, she found each day satisfying. After her martial arts practice, she would be so worn out that she’d fall asleep as soon as she hit the bed.

Chapter 648

Memories from the past came alive vividly for Violeta.

She could almost see herself from her previous life, working in the backyard, drawing water, and weaving baskets.

A priest came over and said, “Miss, our Master invites you to join us for a meal.”

As Violeta was lost in thought, she turned and replied, “Oh, thank you. Sorry to trouble you.”

The priest continued, “It’s no trouble, but it’s just simple oatmeal and berries. I’m not sure if you’ll find it suitable.”

Violeta thought, What’s difficult about oatmeal? and answered, “I’m sure I can manage.”

Walking to the dining hall, Terrel took the main seat, Terrel’s junior sat beside him, and three disciples sat in order.

The youngest disciple, who had escorted Violeta, was named Elden Moran.

He set a chair for her and handed her a bowl of oatmeal.

Violeta greeted the senior priests before starting her meal.

As they ate, the conversation shifted to deciding who would go down the mountain to sell the woven items this month.

Violeta listened quietly without saying a word.

One of the disciples asked how long she intended to stay at the Hermitage. She had originally planned to spend just one night and leave the following day.

Yet, how could she stay only a single night at the Hermitage? Setting her spoon down, Violeta replied, “I wish to remain here for a few more days. Honestly, ever since I arrived, I’ve felt a deep sense of familiarity, as if destiny brought me to the Hermitage. This feeling isn’t just about this place. I also feel a strong bond with each of you. Perhaps, in another life, we were all part of the same family.”

“Additionally, my dream led me here to restore the golden statue of the deity in the Hermitage, and I respectfully seek the approval of all of you,” Violeta added.

Her words left everyone in shock.

It was unprecedented for someone to willingly offer to restore the deity’s golden statue.

The final decision, however, rested with Terrel.

All eyes turned to him.

Taking the last spoonful of oatmeal, Terrel nodded and said, “Very well, you may stay in the Hermitage for a while.”

“Terrel, do you agree to this so readily? Restoring the golden statue isn’t a trivial task.”

Terrel responded, “Ah, this is a matter of destiny.”

Regardless, Violeta was granted permission to extend her stay at the Hermitage.

She felt satisfied with this outcome.

Once she finished her oatmeal, Violeta seized the moment to ask Elden, “I’m curious, has the Hermitage ever hosted someone from Glorialand before?”

Elden seemed a bit taken aback. “How did you find out? Yes, around three years ago, a person from Glorialand arrived here to learn Eternal Flow from the Master. Impressed by his dedication and the long journey he undertook, Master allowed him to stay for a few months and even provided him with a martial arts manual.”

Violeta lowered her eyes.

So, James had been here.

She smiled and said, “It’s nothing, I’m a friend of that person from Glorialand.”

Elden inquired, “Oh, did he introduce you to us as well?”

“In a way, yes,” she replied with a chuckle.

As Elden finished cleaning up the dishes, he asked, “By the way, Miss, what’s your name?”

“I’m Violeta, but you don’t need to be so formal. Just call me Vio.”

“You can call me Elden. Anyway, I have to leave now,” Elden said as he hurried off with the dishes.

Watching him go, Violeta smiled and then headed back to her small bamboo hut.

There was no phone signal up here, almost completely cut off from the rest of the world.

However, Violeta had brought a satellite phone, allowing her to stay in touch with the outside. Once back in her room, she first let her family know she was safe and then provided them with a specific set of coordinates.

In theory, restoring the statues was straightforward, but it required both manpower and materials.

The mountain path was hard to navigate, and the Hermitage priests lacked the funds to restore the statues, so the figures in the main hall were already showing signs of wear.

Decades earlier, a powerful wind had torn a large hole in the ceiling. Although they eventually repaired it, the statues had already begun to peel from exposure to the weather.

Before leaving the mountain in her past life, Violeta had made a wish in front of the statues.

If her wish ever came true, she planned to return and restore the statues.

After sending the coordinates, a helicopter would arrive with materials and workers to assist with the project.

The time required for the restoration would likely allow Violeta to remain at the Hermitage for a few months.

With Terrel’s consent, Violeta chose to stay at the Hermitage for now.

Chapter 649

A week later, the workers arrived at the back mountain by helicopter and started the project once all the materials had been delivered.

Violeta lived and ate alongside them, seamlessly fitting into their routine.

At first, Elden assumed Violeta was quite delicate, given her refined appearance. However, he was surprised to see how quickly she adapted and showed no signs of discomfort.

“Why did you assume I was delicate?” Violeta asked.

“The last person from Glorialand who visited brought two attendants with him,” Elden replied while fetching water. “Those attendants complained about our food and insisted on cooking their meals, always demanding meat dishes.”

The Hermitage has always maintained a vegetarian diet. Once accustomed to this way of eating, Elden found the smell of meat quite unpleasant.

This made him somewhat irritated with the attendants.

However, since it was the Master’s request, he had to put up with it.

“Just two attendants?”

Violeta shook her head, sensing that James might have experienced a decline in status.

After all, he was the esteemed Your Highness of Glorialand. In today’s world, how many places still use such a grand title as Your Highness?

Being a ruler naturally means having the luxury of being selective.

Nowadays, even those who are just moderately wealthy often indulge in luxuries like fine food, expensive wine, and beautiful companions.

Violeta felt that James bringing only two attendants showed a lot of sincerity, which is why Terrel mentioned his genuine nature.

It was just that Elden and the others didn’t understand this, leading them to see James as delicate.

Violeta didn’t elaborate further and said, “By the way, I noticed some unfinished bamboo baskets in the room. Are you slacking off? Would you like me to help you finish them?”

From Violeta’s past experiences, Elden was always the least eager to do bamboo weaving because he struggled with the delicate work. Every time he tried, his creations turned out poorly and looked misshapen, making them difficult to sell. Over time, he grew to dislike the task.

However, Terrel always encouraged him to develop patience and not to rush things, as this was also part of their training.

Elden would pretend to listen, but he often secretly stored his failed attempts in an unused bamboo shed.

Now that Violeta was staying in the small bamboo house, she noticed Elden’s failed attempts.

When Elden heard her comments, he looked initially shocked. A brief moment of awkwardness crossed his face before he blushed and said, “You… you saw everything? Do you want to help me with weaving? Never mind, do you know how to weave? I’ll handle it myself once I’m done with my current tasks. My third senior brother will be coming down the mountain soon. I need to speed up so that he can sell more. Maybe I should offer a discount? Sigh.”

Violeta grinned and said, “I know how to weave. How about you let me give it a shot? I’ll work on one and show you later.”

Elden didn’t take her seriously and headed to the dining hall with the water.

Violeta entered the small bamboo house, grabbed the half-finished basket Elden had left, and settled in to finish weaving it with care.

As she wove, her thoughts drifted back to her past life. Every time she worked with bamboo in the backyard, her mind replayed her experiences since Zelena returned to the Blake family. The more she thought about it, the stronger the sense of dread she felt about Zelena.

She had been completely under her control, like a puppet on a string.

What hurt even more was how biased Mr. and Mrs. Blake were, which left her feeling cold and eventually numb.

But in this life, things have changed. As Violeta picked up bamboo weaving again, her thoughts wandered to the happy times since her rebirth, from her school days to her debut in acting.

The more she thought about those memories, the more fulfilled and content she felt.

By the time Elden came back, Violeta had already finished weaving a bamboo basket.

Amazed at her skill, Elden said, “Wow, this looks great! Where did you learn to weave like that?”

The basket in her hands was one of Elden’s failed attempts. Not only had Violeta repaired his faulty work, but she had also corrected the mistakes he made during the weaving process.

Seeing Violeta’s delicate hands, Elden couldn’t believe she had experience with this kind of work, making him even more curious about her.

Violeta replied, “I learned a while back. Looks good, right?”

Elden didn’t hold back his praise, saying, “Yes, it’s lovely, even nicer than what I can make.”

With a faint smile, Violeta glanced past Elden to see Terrel approaching with measured steps.

Elden, not realizing that Terrel was walking up behind him, cheerfully held up the basket and said, “There are a few more messed-up baskets in the bamboo house. Why don’t you help me fix them too? In return, I could heat some bathwater for you tonight. How does that sound?”

“Elden.”

Elden froze for a moment, his smile suddenly stiffening.

Chapter 650

Tears welling up, Elden turned to Terrel and said, “Master, I swear I didn’t say a word just now.”

Terrel replied, “Making bamboo baskets is a duty for each of your seniors. If I catch you slacking off again, you’ll miss dinner.”

“I’m sorry, Master,” Elden mumbled.

He set the basket aside and got back to work.

Terrel approached Violeta, who greeted him politely, “Hello, Master.”

Terrel responded, “I know you have good intentions, but please refrain from doing this in the future.”

“Okay,” said Violeta.

“Ms. White, when you have a chance, would you like to join me for a walk to the back mountain? I did a divination yesterday and found something unusual in the hexagram.”

“Of course,” Violeta agreed.

Violeta followed Terrel to the back mountain.

Terrel had discovered something peculiar in his divination last night. He and Violeta seemed to have a deep connection, which had existed for some time.

What puzzled him was that, despite living in the mountains for years and never having met Violeta before, their connection felt deep. This was their first encounter, so he wondered where this familiarity came from. Doubting his initial divination, he performed three more, each confirming the same unusual result.

Listening to this, Violeta gazed at the dense bamboo forest on the back mountain and said thoughtfully, “Master, do you believe in past and present lives?”

“Oh?”

Violeta gave a gentle smile as she continued, “Maybe we have a connection from a past life. I came here to follow my dreams, and I feel a strong bond with you. It seems like our meeting was meant to be.”

In this diverse world, Terrel holds to reincarnation and karma.

“I heard from Elden that you were brought here by someone from Glorialand?”

“Well, kind of.”

“That person radiates wealth and arrogance, clearly not someone ordinary, and he’s a foreigner too. I’m curious about how he learned about the Luminous Cloud Cave.”

Violeta wasn’t sure how to clarify things to Terrel, so she just replied, “Sometimes, fate brings people together.”

Terrel didn’t press further and let the matter rest.

Two weeks later, Hayden arrived at the Hermitage by Helicopter.

If James had been rich and powerful, Hayden carried himself with the presence of a ruler or a high-ranking general.

Violeta had previously brought up the idea of past lives.

After their conversation, Terrel had tried to look into his past life through divination, but the results were too obscure to share.

Whenever he thought about these matters, Terrel felt a heavy sensation in his throat, as if uncovering such secrets could come with serious consequences.

Because of this, he decided to stay quiet about it.

Hayden had only just settled in at the Hermitage when, on the third day, Terrel vanished into seclusion.

Neither Hayden nor Violeta knew why Terrel chose to do this, but it was his personal decision and not unusual for a priest.

Hayden only spent a brief week at the Hermitage before leaving the mountain without fanfare.

During Violeta’s hiatus from the entertainment world, Summer with You saw a resurgence in its late-stage performance, thanks to ongoing promotional efforts by Evelina and Jacques. Evelina managed to land endorsements from top luxury brands, which catapulted her into the A-list.

Despite her best efforts, the grand dress hung loosely on her frail frame.

At offline events, she earned the nickname “Skinny Princess” from netizens who mocked her appearance.

Evelina hadn’t planned on shedding pounds. Her goal was simply to look better on camera. Yet, even after she stopped focusing on weight loss, the numbers on the scale continued to drop.

With Violeta away from the company and Eugene on holiday on an island, Evelina was left to navigate the situation on her own.

The company required someone to uphold its image, so they allocated some valuable resources to Evelina and the newly promoted actress, Susan.

Apex was keen on boosting Susan’s career due to her stunning beauty.

Susan, with her striking looks, was akin to Violeta in her ability to turn heads, even without high-fashion outfits.

Similar to Violeta, she had an eye-catching look that made her stand out in a crowd, even without designer clothes.

Evelina, with her more delicate features, found herself relegated to supporting roles when compared to Susan’s dramatic presence.

She knew this limitation all too well.

To avoid being overshadowed by Susan and criticized online, Evelina made sure not to appear on stage with her.

During this period, Violeta’s absence was a fortunate break for Evelina.

Yet, she remained intrigued about Violeta’s whereabouts.

Winona had mentioned that Violeta had retreated to the mountains to practice.

Evelina scoffed, “Can you believe she still buys into that? Practicing? Becoming a vegetarian and chanting? It’s absurd.”

“Evie, some things are worth believing in. Do you think Violeta gained her popularity through some secret trick?”

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