?Chapter 842:


    “Either you apologize on the spot, or you can forget about ever calling yourself a Cooper,” Kiley dered, her ultimatum ringing out for all to hear.


    Tears sprang to Mariana’s eyes, emotions bubbling over as her gaze darted to Chris, standing at a distance. “Chris…”


    She hoped — prayed — that Chris might defend her, remembering that she was the only Cooper who had ever shown him kindness. Maybe he cared, even just a little?


    Chris, however, watched with cold detachment, his silence more cutting than any words.


    Mariana’s fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles nched, pain radiating through her chest as if a de had pierced straight through.


    Where once she had nurtured a forbidden affection for Chris, bitterness now took root in its ce.


    If she couldn’t have him, she would make sure that no one else did either. Steeling herself, Mariana swallowed every ounce of grief and fury and forced out the words to Maia, replying, “I’m sorry…”


    Her apology slipped out in a fragile whisper, so faint it nearly vanished in the air, as if every syble cost her dearly. For a moment, the entire gathering was silent.


    Off to the side, Raegan’sposure never broke, though her fingers curled so tightly they nearly lost all color.


    She recalled the Mask’s leader once cautioning her not to cross Maia.


    At first, Raegan assumed that Maia was just another chess piece. But now, it was obvious — Maia yed her own game and moved herself across the board. Whatever ties existed between Maia and the Mask’s leader, Raegan’s assumptions no longer held. But one thing was certain: Maia was now an enemy she meant to take down — no matter what.


    “What did you say? I couldn’t hear you clearly. Could you speak up?” Maia’s voice cut through the silence, her expression deceptively calm while her gaze locked onto Mariana withser focus. “If you’re not sincere in your apology, perhaps you should never touch a paintbrush again.”


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    The subdued atmosphere instantly crystallized into something far more dangerous.


    Mariana trembled beneath Maia’s piercing stare, her lips quivering as tears gathered in her eyes. Still, she lifted her chin defiantly. “Maia, don’t push this too far!”


    But Maia had already dismissed her. Turning her head slightly toward Kiley, she spoke with deliberate calm. “What do you think, Ms. Cooper?”


    Each wordnded like a de.


    The room’s temperature seemed to plummet as gasps rippled through the audience. Nobody had anticipated Maia’s ruthless precision, the way she stripped away any chance for Mariana to save face.<fnf269> Fresh chapters posted on find~novel</fnf269>


    Mariana’s earlier mumbled words had been pathetically inadequate,pletely devoid of genuine remorse. Now she was paying the price.


    Kiley’s eyes grew cold as they settled on Mariana. When she spoke, her voice carried absolute authority. “Do as she says.”


    “Kiley…” Mariana’s voice cracked. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks as the reality crashed over her.


    This couldn’t be happening.


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