?Chapter 376:


    Chris sounded almost casual, but there was an unmistakable sharpness in his tone. “If you have no evidence,” he said deliberately, “then it is nder. And nder, Miss, is a crime.”


    Was he… defending Maia? The thought rattled Rosanna, sending a fresh jolt of panic through her chest. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out.


    Chris shifted his gazezily toward Mariana, who still clung to his arm as if it were her lifeline. A crooked smile tugged at his lips, but his eyes gleamed with a sh of frost. “Is she your friend?” he asked, voice dripping with mockery. “Starting trouble at a Cooper g? You certainly know how to pick them.”


    Mariana’s expression hardened, a flush of embarrassment creeping up her neck.


    Chris was not wrong. In a ce like this, if Maia had truly stolen an invitation, the scandal should have been buried quietly — not paraded before the high-society vultures. Stirring up public humiliation would not only tarnish the Cooper family’s reputation, but if a prestigious guest were involved, it could explode into a full-blown crisis.


    Scowling, Mariana shot Rosanna a warning look, sharp enough to slice. Rosanna shrank back instinctively, retreating behind Mariana, her expression a mask of frustration and shame.


    Why was he standing up for Maia? The question gnawed at Rosanna as she peeked uncertainly toward Chris, confusion wrapping around her like a tightening vine.


    Jarrod, catching the whispers around them, turned to Maia in disbelief. “Maia, you stole this invitation? Are you out of your mind? After spending four years rotting in prison for stealing from Radiant Jewels, you are pulling this stunt at the Cooper Group g? Do you have any idea who you are dealing with? These people could crush you without even blinking!”


    Before anyone could react, Jarrod lunged forward, trying to rip the invitation from Maia’s hand — as if snatching it back might somehow undo the disaster unfolding.


    But Maia moved effortlessly, her body slipping aside with a dancer’s grace. Jarrod stumbled past her, nearly sprawling onto the marble floor. A crimson flush climbed…


    Your next adventure is at g  al n ovels . con


    A crimson flush climbed up Jarrod’s face. Guests turned to gawk as he caught himself, ring daggers at Maia, who stood poised and unbothered.


    “You made a fool out of me!” he hissed, humiliation and rage twisting his features. He jabbed a finger at her usingly. “Four years in prison and you still have not learned your lesson? Tell me! Where did you steal that invitation from?”


    His shouting drew even more attention. Guests who hadn’t noticed before now turned, casting sharp, suspicious nces their way. Stealing at a Cooper Group event? And not just any invitation — a ck gold VIP invitation? Had she lost her mind?


    Murmurs erupted. Some guests questioned how Cooper security could have failed so badly. Others spected on what punishment would follow.


    In this world, disrupting a Cooper event could lead to being cklisted — or worse.


    The stares that rained down on Maia were heavy with judgment, suspicion, and disdain.


    Yet she remained unfazed. Her eyes, cool and distant, swept over the hostile crowd. She knew better than to escte the scene further. Her voice, when it came, was calm, almost indifferent.


    “This invitation was given to me by Hurst Cooper,” Maia said, her tone steady. “If you do not believe me, feel free to ask him yourself.”


    Her words, instead of dousing the fire, poured gasoline onto it.


    The scoffs were immediate, sharp enough to sting.


    “Hurst Cooper? Do not make meugh. Why would Mr. Cooper associate with a criminal?”


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