?Chapter 999:


    Seizing the pause in conversation, Hurst cleared his throat and said, “Please don’t take it the wrong way, Ms. Watson. My daughter’s been holding on to the memory of her mother for years. Mnie was just a child when my wife passed. It’s been a long road for her to…”


    “Heal.” With a slight tilt of his head, Hurst added, “It’s not just your eyes… even your smile carries a trace of her.”


    Maia turned to Mnie again, this time with something gentler in her expression — an understanding that ran deeper than before.


    Maia had never known thefort of growing up with her biological parents, yet she understood the ache that came with losing someone dear. Even though the Cooper Group stood on the other side of the fence, she had learned not to judge its people as a collective.


    Chris and Zoey weren’t the only ones who had shown her kindness — Hurst had extended his hand more than once as well. Sure, his daughter and Ethan had shed before, but those were the usual arguments children often outgrow. These days, Mnie and Ethan seemed to be getting along just fine.


    From the side, Mnie stole a nce at Hurst before turning back with a bright grin. “Would it be okay if I visited more often?”<fn3961> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? FιndＮovel</fn3961>


    A brief pause followed, then Maia nodded with a smile and said, “Of course. If ever you’re missing your mom, you’re wee toe to me. I won’t turn you away. But instead of anything formal, I’d rather you call me Maia — just like Ethan does — and maybe think of me as a big sister.”


    With eyes lighting up, Mnie answered cheerfully, “You got it, Maia!” At that point, her affection for Maia had grown even stronger. After all, Maia had saved her life this time.


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    Only then did Hurst catch on to his daughter’s little n. She had been trying to find reasons to be around Maia more often. A quiet smile tugged at his lips as he nced Mnie’s way, silently giving her credit.


    But relying on Mnie to carry the conversation every time wasn’t something he nned to allow. Stepping forward, Hurst rested a hand gently on Mnie’s head before turning to Maia. “This one knows how to keep things lively. Don’t be surprised if we drop by more often. Part of it is to check in on you; the other part is to keep you posted on the investigation.”


    “Did anything turn up?” Maia asked, meeting Hurst’s eyes with calm curiosity. Off to the side, Pattie subtly leaned in, curious about what Hurst, a member of the Cooper family, would say.


    Hurst’s gaze swept the room before he lowered his tone. “There’s a strong chance Kolton is behind that underground boxing operation…”


    A flicker of realization crossed his face before Hurst cleared his throat and rushed to rify. “Alright, alright… don’t give me that look. Since Kolton took charge of Cooper Group, he’s been tightening his grip — swallowing up the other branches one by one. Mine’s stayed afloat because we handle overseas dealings and the liquor business. He either ignores us or looks down on what we do. That distance is what’s kept us out of his reach.”


    Directness had always been Hurst’s way, especially when trust was on the line. Besides, he was confident no one here would take his words beyond these four walls. And even if someone did, the fallout wouldn’t be terrible.


    Hearing him speak, Mnie bit her bottom lip, unsure how to process it all. For years, she had carried questions about her mother’s sudden illness — how it came so fast despite having every medical advantage the Cooper Group could offer. Still, none of it had been enough to save her mother in the end. For as long as she could remember, those questions and doubts had stayed locked away inside her.


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