?Chapter 934:


    Many blinked in surprise; only Chris seemed to have the guts to speak that way. In Wront, who would openly throw shade at the Coopers? Was he asking for trouble?


    Maia looked his way, emotions flickering across her face.


    Kiley’s expression darkened instantly. Her fingers trembled, clearly riled by his defiance. Through clenched teeth, she spat out words thick with hatred and scorn. “You… You bring shame to the Cooper family.”


    She could put up with udius’s foolishness and even excuse Mariana’s madness. But Chris? That was a different story. He was an illegitimate child. From the very start, he was a blot on the Cooper name. And now, here he was, standing in front of Maia—the Cooper family’s enemy—shielding her and speaking on her behalf. He had even insulted the Cooper family in broad daylight. It was nothing less than outright rebellion.


    Kiley’s eyes were like daggers, burning with rage. The man standing there shouldn’t even have lived.


    “Chris, hear me well. You’ll pay for this,” she warned, her voice so cold it sent chills down the spine.


    But the next second, Chris chuckled casually, as if nothing fazed him. “I’ll keep that in mind, but Ms. Cooper, don’t forget what you said back in Sceibar. Now that you’re back in Wront, when are you going to make good on your promise and take me to see Grandpa?”


    Kiley’s eyebrows knit tightly as she shot a sharp look at Chris. “I haven’t forgotten.”


    “Good. Then don’t leave me hanging too long,” Chris replied, casting a nce at udius, whose face was dark and tense. He hadn’t caught wind of what had just happened; naturally, he thought today was some scheme cooked up by udius and Kiley.


    As for Mariana… Chris felt only a slight pang of pity for her. Even though she had treated him decently, crossing the line with Maia was something he couldn’t forgive. Besides, her troubles were self-made, hardly earning any sympathy.


    Maia stood quietly behind Chris, her gaze flicking between the small group before she gently tugged on his sleeve.<fnfeac> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel</fnfeac>


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    “Let’s get moving,” Maia murmured quietly to Chris.


    Chris gave a slight nod, avoiding any further looks at Kiley, and turned to lead Maia away. They moved swiftly, side by side, their steps firm and certain, showing no sign of doubt.


    Behind them, Mariana slumped to the floor, crying uncontrobly. She gripped her head tightly with both hands, her sobs wrenching the heart. “Why? Why does she always snatch everything away from me? First it was Aurora Apparel Company, then my chance to show my art, and even my good name. Now, Maia’s even taken Chris! What’s going on?” Her voice grew harsher, her feelings spinning wildly out of control. She yanked at her hair in desperation, almost pulling it out strand by strand, crushed by her torment and panic. Raegan tried to reach her, but Mariana broke loose, deaf to everything, swallowed by her sorrow and madness.


    Kiley stood frozen, her eyes narrowing as she took in the whole scene. She approached udius and sneered, “Is this how you act like a big brother? You might be lost, but dragging your little sister into this mess is downright shameful.”


    udius stayed quiet, his face heavy with regret, fully aware that if given the choice again, he’d still side with Maia. Still, he struggled to look at Mariana lying on the floor.


    “I’m going to tell our father everything that happened today,” Kiley said, her voice icy. “You’d better watch yourself.”


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