Chapter 840:


    Cold disapproval gradually settled over the faces of artists and curators in the front rows.


    “Illegitimate or not, visiting his grandfather shows proper filial respect. Nothing wrong with that.”


    “To think Sophia’s son has endured such treatment… The Cooper family has crossed every line.”


    Murmurs of outrage and sympathy swept through the crowd.


    Chris couldn’t suppress his smile as Maia’s deration echoed in his mind: “He’s my man now… I simply refuse to watch others bully my man…”


    His gaze found Maia, intense yet tender as their eyes met. Warmth flooded through him, a feeling absent for countless years.


    After his parents died, he had be truly alone — unprotected, stepped on by everyone who crossed his path.


    Everything changed when he met Maia, back when she was just a small girl. She had positioned herself in front of him, dering with fierce determination, “Don’t be afraid. I will protect you.”


    Chris’ heart thundered against his ribs, that precious first memory crystallizing with startling rity.


    No other woman had ever stirred his soul after that day. Learning that his aunt wanted him to marry Maia filled him with joy beyond measure. His throat worked silently, emotion stealing his voicepletely.


    A sharp voice suddenly sliced through the moment. “Shame on you, Maia!” Mariana finally snapped, her restraint crumbling atst.


    She had been holding herself back all this time, but now herposure shatteredpletely.


    “Chris belongs to us, the Cooper family. You im he’s yours? Who exactly do you think you are?”<fndd55> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find?novel</fndd55>


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    Mariana’s voice cracked with raw emotion, teetering on the edge ofplete breakdown.


    Chris could only ever belong to her. How dare Maia stake such a brazen im on him? The audacity was unforgivable!


    Maia’s eyes drifted toward her with cool indifference,pletely void of concern.


    Poor Mariana had suffered two crushing defeats at her hands, likely leaving her self-worth in ruins.


    Rather than waste energy on pointless arguments, Maia turned back to Kiley with a slight arch of her eyebrow. “Ms. Cooper, surely you can handle such a simple request?”


    With a faint, practiced smile, Kiley replied, “Ms. Watson, your request isn’t out of line, but I’ll need my father’s approval before anything moves forward. Still, you have my word — I’ll put every effort into convincing him.”


    Maia folded her arms, one eyebrow arching with skepticism. “Ms. Cooper, are you just stringing me along with empty promises?”


    A step closer, Kiley’s voice turned soft and reasonable. “Not at all. It’s simply out of my hands. Of course, I’m willing to go beyond my usual responsibilities — but in return, surely you’d expect some sort of exchange, wouldn’t you?”


    At that, Alice let out a huff. “Sounds to me like you’re just going back on your word.”


    A chorus of mutters followed, several nodding. “Losing and still trying to call the shots? What kind of logic is that?”


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    Message from Noah: Have a great week dear readers, new chapters this friday and new novels tomorrow. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. ????(? ?? ? – ? ) ?


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