Chapter 1369:


    Pattie leaned in and whispered, “What just happened? And where did Chris disappear to?”


    At that moment, Maia’s phone vibrated softly.


    She looked down and saw a message from Chris.


    The screen lit up, and a short message appeared. “Everything is handled. Leave immediately.”


    Maia paused, her fingers hovering over the phone. Her eyes darkened, and she quickly shut off the screen, letting the light fade. She lifted her head toward Pattie, her expression calm and unreadable. “We’ll talk once we’re home,” she murmured.


    Pattie understood at once. Her eyes brightened. “So we’re heading out now? Thank goodness. This so-called charity event is aplete waste of time.”


    Maia gave a soft nod, a faint smile touching her lips. Pattie’s blunt honesty could be abrasive, but to Maia, it was strangelyforting.


    And Pattie wasn’t wrong—especially when it came to Cooper Group.


    Maia shifted her gaze to Rnd and said, “Rnd, take Pattie and Ethan home first. There’s something I need to take care of.”


    Rnd immediately stood and nodded firmly.


    Then Maia turned to Brielle, offering a weary smile. “Brielle, I’m not feeling well. I want to leave early.”


    “Of course. Anyone would feel sick after being used by Cooper Group like this,” Brielle said with a raised brow. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she stood up. “I’m not well either. I didn’t bring anything for the auction anyway. Staying is pointless.”


    She rose elegantly, ignoring the nces around her. “Let’s go together.”


    Nearby, Mnie grew anxious listening to them. She tugged on Hurst’s sleeve. “Dad, I want to go too. It’s so suffocating in here.”


    Her gaze flickered toward Maia, clearly hinting that Hurst should walk out with her.


    g?lnσν???s．c????, a world of tales


    Hurst nodded right away. “Then we’ll leave with Maia. The air really is stifling.”


    Across the room, Marisa didn’t bother with subtlety. She marched straight over to Ethan. “What’s with that gloomy look? Get up, we’re leaving.”


    And so, an unexpected scene unfolded. The moment Maia stood, a chain reaction swept through the hall—almost everyone around her rose from their seats as if on cue.


    Technically, leaving while the auction was still in progress was extremely disrespectful. But as soon as Maia moved, everyone suddenly found their reason to go.


    On stage, Kiley watched the situation with cold detachment. She noticed the wave of people leaving but did not attempt to stop it. A flicker of disdain crossed her eyes.


    Maia was useless to her now. Leaving early was exactly what she deserved.


    Outside, a crowd of employeesid off by Cooper Group had already gathered. Under Kiley’s maniption, their resentment toward Maia had grown into hatred.


    They believed thepany’s decline had started with Maia’s appearance. Imagining how frenzied they’d be upon seeing her was easy—rage made people unpredictable.


    Kiley pictured it clearly. The violence breaking out, chaos erupting, panic spreading.


    Someone might even stab Maia right there on the street.


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