?Chapter 726:


    He hesitated, then continued,


    “Afterst time’s mess, security’s bound to be tighter than ever. Given what we’re working with, pulling this off won’t be easy.”


    Chris turned his gaze to the main control screen, which streamed real-time data about the giant ship. It was a fortress on water, bristling with security measures. If Kolton managed to pull off this shipment, it could easily pull the Cooper Group out of their stock market nosedive.


    This was something Chris refused to allow. He had no intention of backing down.


    “Keep refining the n to intercept the ship,” Chris instructed. “I’ll look for a way to sabotage things from the inside.”


    At the same time, Maia parked her car outside MCN’s headquarters.


    She barely had a chance to step out before a tidal wave of reporters swarmed her, cameras shing and microphones thrust in her direction, the air thick with questions.


    Alice, nearly bouncing with anticipation, elbowed her way through the crowd. She had missed her chance to speak with Maia the night before, blocked by Pattie’s security team. Determined not to lose out again, Alice had camped at MCN early that morning.


    No matter what, she was set on convincing Maia to ept her as a student today.


    Shoving her way to the front, Alice called out,


    “Ms. Watson, what did you think about what I said yesterday?”


    With her voice shaky and eyes full of hope, Alice pleaded,


    “Please, Ms. Watson, let me be your apprentice! I’ve dreamed of learning fashion design from you my whole life!”


    The moment Maia and Alice stood side by side, a flurry of camera shutters erupted. Their exchange was instantly captured and posted online, where it caused a sensation.


    L?t??t ?hαpt?rs ??n g??l??ov?l??.????m


    “Good grief. Is Alice seriously running after Maia, begging to be her student? She’s serious about this!”


    “No way! One of the industry’s top designers actually wants Maia to take her under her wing?”


    “Hold on, I missed everything yesterday. Wasn’t there supposed to be bad blood between them? How did things turn around so fast?”


    “If you missed it, watch the rey from yesterday’s Lark Fashionunch. That’s all I’m saying. Maia’s an absolute icon!”


    “I can’t stopughing. Never thought I’d see a world-renowned designer practically ambush someone in public just to ask for mentorship!”


    Within minutes, thement section was on fire. Shares and reactions poured in, and even seasoned professionals were left speechless by the sudden twist.


    Meanwhile, the scene outside MCN was pure chaos. Reporters pressed closer, their questionsing one after another.


    “Ms. Watson, why didn’t you respond to Ms. Byrd’s request yesterday?”


    “Ms. Watson, will you be taking Ms. Byrd under your wing?”


    “Ms. Byrd has publicly admitted to drawing inspiration from your work. Do you forgive her now?”


    The reporters showed no signs of letting up, questions fired from every direction, and microphones crowded so close that Maia could barely get a word in.


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