?Chapter 717:


    There’s no point torturing yourself over it. I’ll contact some investment partners to help us buy back shares and steady the market. I just hope this teaches you something valuable. Think twice before acting on impulse next time.”


    Kolton’s voice took on a dangerous edge as he continued, “This Maia woman is far sharper than we gave her credit for. I’ve already put people on her trail, and they’re investigating this Mr. M character too. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they all pay for this humiliation. Maia, the Ward family, and everyone who stands in our way will be dealt with ordingly.


    As for you, starting right now, stay away from Maiapletely. You’re also banned from posting anything online.”


    Kolton’s piercing stare locked onto her, his voice carrying absolute authority. “I need your word that from this moment forward, you’ll pour everything you have into the art exhibition. I want to see you seed in this field and build a real reputation for yourself. Are we clear?”


    His hand reached out to gently stroke Mariana’s hair. “Can you promise me that?”


    Mariana raised her head, her body still quivering from the emotional storm. Words came out broken and hesitant. “I… I understand.”


    Kolton’s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice remaining steady but unyielding. “Good. I sincerely hope this time you won’t let me down again.”


    Meanwhile, at Hurst’s vi, Mnie tossed restlessly in her bed, unable to find anyfort.


    Her thoughts churned like a violent storm, refusing to settle.


    Ever since that heated argument with her father, he hadn’t bothereding home.


    What made her sleepless was having watched Lark Fashion’s new productunch earlier that afternoon.


    She’d originally tuned in to witness Maia’s downfall and watch her get publicly humiliated. She’d even posted plenty of nastyments about Maia online.


    The ce for great stories: g?lnσν???s


    But everything backfired spectacrly when it became clear that Maia hadn’t giarized anything and certainly wasn’t a thief.


    Such a fact left her utterly dumbfounded.


    Memories of everything she’d said to her father that day now burned with shame.


    She desperately wanted to admit her mistake, but the apology seemed stuck in her throat.


    Since nine o’clock that evening, she’d been wrestling with how to say sorry to her father.


    Now it was already past midnight.


    Message after message got typed out, only to be deleted momentster.


    “This is driving me crazy!” she groaned, biting her lip in pure frustration.


    Unable to bear the torture any longer, she grabbed her phone and called her father directly.


    Hurst picked up almost instantly. “Mnie? What’s up? Why are you still awake at this hour?”


    Mnie felt the old sting of pride tugging at her, but when the moment came, she could not form the words she wanted to say.


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