?Chapter 888:


    “She prevented a disaster. Without her, people would’ve panicked. It could’ve turned into a stampede. Maybe worse—deaths, explosions, suicides… We’ll never know how bad it could have gotten.”


    A handful of users voiced suspicion.


    “Was Maia the reason Vince snapped?”


    However, that line of thinking didn’t stand a chance. The public swiftly rejected it like a bad rumor.


    “You’re ming her for what a maniac did? Unbelievable.”


    “Vince wentpletely off the rails. If Maia hadn’t stepped in, things would’ve ended differently. That woman’s a hero. No question about it.”


    News outlets rushed to get in touch with MCN, each one hoping to secure an exclusive sit-down with Maia. No one had anticipated that Maia’s poprity would once again sweep across the inte at an unprecedented speed.


    Elsewhere, inside the study at Cooper Group’s main office, Kolton absentmindedly traced the rim of a forgotten mug of cold coffee.<fn1dc3> Fresh chapters posted on f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn1dc3>


    On his phone, a paused video showed Maia facing Vince with unwaveringposure.


    His gaze stayed on the screen as a faint smile tugged at his lips. “She could stand her ground in a storm like that.”


    There was a roughness to his otherwise even tone. “She’s not someone you can easily write off.”


    A buzz from his phone broke the silence.


    Kolton nced at the screen. Kiley’s name lit up.


    Without hesitation, he answered the call.


    “I saw the news and just finished watching the footage from the Harmony za scare…” Kiley’s voice came through, steady and controlled.


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    With a low chuckle, Kolton asked, “So? What’s your take on Maia?”


    “Maia’s going to be a problem for Cooper Group.” Kiley spoke with quiet certainty, as though she’d weighed every angle. “That’s why… I want to request udius to take over my responsibilities in Otruitho. I need to head back to Wront and deal with her myself.”


    Kolton didn’t answer right away. A moment passed before a gentle chuckle escaped him. “Return, then. I was never nning to let him linger near her anyway.”


    “I’ll take care of it,” Kiley said without hesitation.


    For once, they seemed to be thinking along the same lines.


    Once the call ended, Kolton turned to the window and stared at the clouds thickening in the distance.


    The weather seemed to be preparing for war.


    Meanwhile, Kiley put down the phone, brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and rose from her seat.


    She crossed the room and pulled the heavy curtains apart, revealing the world outside.


    Night stretched endlessly beyond the ss, and though the city shimmered with light, none of it touched the expression in her eyes. Lines of brightness traced across her features, harsh and clear.


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